Celebrating Excellence in Research: Elvira Grob Wins Best Student Research Poster at the BAcC Annual Conference

We are delighted to announce that our best research poster nominee, Elvira Grob, has been awarded Best Student Research Poster in Acupuncture at this year's BAcC Annual Conference.

Elvira's research, Restless Spirits: A Critical Review of Clinical Evidence of Acupuncture for Restless Legs Syndrome, presents a systematic review evaluating the clinical evidence for acupuncture as a treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological sensorimotor disorder affecting between 5 and 10 per cent of the adult population in Western industrialised countries. Her review examined randomised controlled trials, assessing their methodological quality, treatment efficacy, safety outcomes, and the potential mechanisms through which acupuncture may benefit those living with RLS. Drawing on both conventional clinical evidence and a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective on the condition, her work highlights the growing case for acupuncture as a meaningful, evidence-based option for patients for whom current pharmacological treatments often fall short.

Research plays a vital role in the continued growth and credibility of acupuncture as a profession, helping to build the evidence base that supports safe, effective practice and informs clinical guidelines. For our students, engaging with research is just as important as developing clinical skills: it encourages critical thinking, a questioning approach to practice, and the ability to evaluate evidence rather than rely on assumption or tradition alone. Achievements like Elvira's demonstrate the value of nurturing this culture of enquiry early in a practitioner's training, equipping the next generation of acupuncturists not only to practise with confidence, but to contribute to the evolution of the profession itself.

This award is a wonderful recognition of the calibre of research being undertaken by our students and reflects the strength of the research culture we continue to build at CCA.

We would like to thank the BAcC for organising the conference and for recognising excellence in student research, and we extend particular thanks to Prof. Volker Scheid, PhD, FBAcC, FRCHM, for his role in the award. Prof. Scheid is an internationally known practitioner, teacher, and scholar of Chinese medicine.

Congratulations again to Elvira on this outstanding achievement and thank you to everyone who supports and champions research excellence within our community.