Analysis of points selection pattern in acupuncture treatment of sleep apnea syndrome based on data mining

Abstract

To explore the points selection pattern of acupuncture for sleep apnea syndromes by data mining technique. Clinical literature about acupuncture therapy for sleep apnea syndromes was derived from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), PubMed and Science Direct between the time that databases were created and March 25th,2017. Relevant excel database was established and descriptive studies and association rules were analyzed. The most frequently used point was Lianquan (CV 23) and the most frequently used meridian was the Stomach Meridian. The analysis of association rules showed that the clinical choice of acupuncture points was highly correlated, among which the combination of the highest degree of confidence and the highest degree of support was Shenmen (HT 7) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1); Lieque (LU 7), lianquan (CV 23) and Zhaohai (KI 6). Acupuncture treatment of sleep apnea syndromes has specific selection rules of points, providing certain references for clinical and scientific research.