Core Acupoints Research Articles

A research on the law of acupoint differentiation and application in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold using network analysis

Objective: Through the method of network analysis, the acupuncture prescriptions recorded in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold (EPWATG) were investigated, and the laws of acupuncture point use were discussed.<br/> Methods: Literatures, including acupuncture prescriptions in EPWATG, were collected and screened, according to the method of differentiating prescriptions based on the diseased part. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to establish a database of prescriptions for head and neck diseases, chest and flank diseases, abdomen diseases, lumbosacral diseases and limbs diseases, and a network of acupoint compatibilities was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the network analysis method, the commonly used acupoint compatibilities and core acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for various parts of diseases and syndromes in EPWATG were excavated.<br/> Results: The commonly used acupoint compatibilities in EPWATG prescriptions for the treatment of head and neck diseases are Tianzhu and Taodao, Hanyan and Houding, and Baihui and Xinshu, and the core acupoints are Tianzhu, Benshen, Kunlun, Zhongzhu, Zutonggu, Fengchi and Shangguan. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of chest and flank diseases are Ququan and Xiangu, Rangu and Taixi, and Yanggu and carpal bone, and the core acupoints are Zhangmen, Feishu, Tanzhong, Yunmen, Jimen and Zhongfu. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of abdominal diseases are Gongsun and Taibai, Shuigou and Dazhui, and Dazhui and Shixuan, and the core acupoints are Tanzhong, zhangmen, Pishu, Ganshu, Laogong and Taixi. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of lumbosacral diseases are Xialiao and Shangliao, Danshu and Geshu, and Dazhu and Shentao, and the core acupoints are Dachangshu, Weizhong, Weiyang, Chengfu and Eight-liao. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of four limbs diseases are Dubi and Shanglian, Dubi and Xialian, and Shanglian and Xialian, and the core acupoints are Xuanzhong, Zusanli, Fuliu, Sanyinjiao, Shanglian, Xialian and Shugu.<br/> Conclusion: The selection of acupuncture points in EPWATG follows the law of acupoint selection based on the meridians and diseased parts. This also focuses on the selection of acupoints of the bladder meridian of foot Taiyang and specific acupoints. This provides a scientific basis for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Rule of point selection in treatment of cerebral palsy in children with acupuncture based on data mining of 1584 electronic medical records

To explore the rule of point selection in treatment of cerebral palsy with acupuncture in preschool children. Based on the electronic medical records of Xi'an Encephalopathy Hospital of TCM, through structuring medical record text, acupuncture prescriptions were extracted. Using the data mining tools of the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform V2.2.3 and the clinical effective prescription and molecular mechanism analysis system of traditional Chinese medicine V2.0, the cluster analysis and complex network analysis were conducted on acupuncture prescriptions. Of 1584 acupuncture prescriptions for cerebral palsy in children, there were 84 acupoints and stimulating areas of scalp acupuncture, of which, foot-motor-sensory area, balance area and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were the top 3 acupoints with the highest use rate. With cluster analysis, 5 groups of common supplementary acupoints and stimulating areas were found, named, Weizhong (BL 40) and Waiguan (TE 5), Shousanli (LI 10), Xingjian (LR 2), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Chengfu (BL 36), foot-motor-sensory area, balance area and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Fenglong (ST 40), Pishu (BL 20), motor area and Yanglingquan (GB 34). With complex network analysis on core prescriptions, 13 core acupoints and stimulating areas of scalp acupuncture were obtained, including 3 core main points, i.e. Sanyinjiao (SP 6), balance area and foot-motor-sensory area and 10 sub-core points, i.e. Taichong (LR 3), motor area, Xuehai (SP 10), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20) and Shenshu (BL 23). In treatment of acupuncture for cerebral palsy in preschool children, the core prescriptions reveal the simultaneous treatment of exterior and interior, the mutual regulation of yin and yang and the combination of acupoints with stimulating ares of scalp acupuncture for both encephalopathy and paralysis.

Regularities of acupoint combinations and characteristics of core acupoint application for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia based on complex network analysis

To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by using complex network technology, so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas. The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and Ovid database (OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia", "mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change", "breast cystic hyperplasia ", etc. plus "acupuncture", "moxibustion", etc. Then, a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities, followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software. A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17, Qimen(LR14), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Taichong(LR3), ST36, Jianjing(GB21), Rugen(ST18), Wuyi(ST15), Neiguan(PC6), Ashi-points, Fenglong (SP40), Guanyuan(CV4), Taixi(KI3), Tianzong(SI11), Ganshu (BL18), and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides, the upper and lower parts, front and back parts of the body, respectively, and those of the outer and inner meridians, and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus. The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used, followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest, back, upper and lower limbs, and the local acupoints.

Acupoint selection rules of neurogenic dysphagia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient times

Acupoint selection rules of neurogenic dysphagia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion from pre-Qin to late Qing Dynasty in Chinese Medical Classics were analyzed based on data mining. The literature regarding acupuncture and moxibustion for neurogenic dysphagia was searched and screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in Chinese Medical Classics (5th Edition), the prescriptions were extracted according to the principle of acupoint extraction.The SPSS 21.0 and Clementine 12.0 were used to perform the cluster analysis and association rule analysis.A total of 191 acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions were screened and extracted，including 45 acupoints. The top 5 acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion for neurogenic dysphagia in frequency were Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4), Lieque (LU 7), Lianquan (CV 23), Shuigou (GV 26). The most involved meridians were the stomach meridian, the governor vessel and the conception vessel. The main acupoints were distributed in the scalp face neck and upper limbs. The most frequently used specific acupoints was crossing points,next was eight confluence points. There were 11 acupoint combinations with strong association according to the association rule analysis, and the top one acupoint combination was Hegu (LI 4)-Jiache (ST 6). There were 9 acupoint cluster groups according to the cluster analysis. Hegu (LI 4), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4), Shuigou (GV 26) and Chengjiang (CV 24) were core acupoints for neurogenic dysphagia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient times, besides，selecting proximal and distal acupoints and selecting acupoints according to symptoms were emphasized.

Rule of acupoint selection for cancer pain based on association rule and entropy clustering

To analyze the rule of acupoint selection for cancer pain based on data mining. The published literature regarding acupuncture for cancer pain in the recent 10 years was searched in PubMed, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang database. The acupoint selection was summarized and analyzed by TCMISS V2.5. Totally 68 literature was collected and 73 acupoint prescriptions were included, involving 117 acupoints. These acupoints were mainly in bladder meridian, stomach meridian, liver meridian and spleen meridian. Among them, 40 acupoints used more than 4 times were identified, and the top three acupoints were Zusanli (ST 36, 65 times), Neiguan (PC 6, 55 times) and Taichong (LR 3, 50 times). A total of 68 acupoint combinations used more than 19 times were identified, and the top three acupoint combinations were Zusanli (ST 36)-Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3)-Zusanli (ST 36) and Zusanli (ST 36)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6). There were 103 acupoint combinations with strong association; based on the entropy clustering algorithm, 20 new acupoint combinations and 10 new acupoint prescriptions were obtained. The main meridians for cancer pain are bladder meridian, stomach meridian, liver meridian and spleen meridian, with Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and ashi points as core acupoints, and regulating spleen-stomach and treating qi-blood are the main principles.

Investigating Prescriptions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris: An Association Rule Mining and Network Analysis Study.

Chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) is a worldwide cardiovascular disease that severely affects people's quality of life and causes serious cardiovascular accidents. Although acupuncture had been confirmed as a potential adjunctive treatment for CSAP, the basic rules and mechanisms of acupoints were little understood. We conducted a systematic search of the China Biology Medicine (CBM), VIP database, Wangfang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science to identify eligible clinical controlled trials (CCTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from their inception to 18th February 2020. The acupoint prescriptions in the treatment of CSAP were extracted and analyzed based on the association rule mining (ARM) and network analysis. In addition, potential mechanisms of acupuncture for treating CSAP were summarized by data mining. A total of 27 eligible trials were included. Analysis of acupoint prescriptions covered 36 conventional acupoints and 1 experience acupoint, distributing in 10 meridians. The top three frequently used acupoints were PC6, LU9, and ST36. The top three frequently used meridians were the pericardial meridian, lung meridian, and heart meridian. The most frequently used acupoint combinations were LU9 combined with PC6. Besides, network analysis indicated that the core acupoints included PC6, BL15, ST40, and RN17. Moreover, potential mechanisms of acupuncture for treating CSAP involved the regulation of autonomic nerve function, the content of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), volume and the equivalent block of coronary artery calcified plaque (CACP), endothelin (ET), and nitric oxide (NO), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the content of C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In conclusion, our findings concerning acupoint prescriptions and potential mechanisms in the acupuncture treatment of CSAP could provide an optimized acupuncture treatment plan for clinical treatment of CSAP and promote further mechanism research and network research of CSAP.

Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Insomnia: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives A Meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE), a procedure of embedding sutures made of absorbable materials into the skin tissue of acupoints, on insomnia. Methods Relevant clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were comprehensively searched from eleven electronic databases (up to 1 March 2020). Two authors independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Stata 12 and RevMan 5.3.0 software were used for meta-analysis. PyCharm 2019 and Gephi software (version 0.9.2) were used for complex network analysis. Results Thirty-four RCTs involving 2,655 patients were included. The meta-analysis suggested that ACE induced a better clinical efficacy compared with that in the estazolam tablets (EZ) group (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.31) or in the acupuncture (ACU) group (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.28) and could significantly reduce the score of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P < 0.05). ACE resulted in better long-term efficacy compared to that in the EZ group (RR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.58, 2.22) and ACU group (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.48). ACE could significantly reduce the incidence of adverse events (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.60) compared with that in the EZ group. Complex network analysis indicated that acupoints of BL23, SP6, PC6, BL15, BL20, BL18, and HT7 were the core acupoints selected in ACE for insomnia. Conclusion The clinical efficacy of ACE for insomnia is better than that of other interventions (EZ and ACU) in both short-term and long-term observations. Considering the efficacy and reduced visits to the clinic by ACE, the present study provides a practical and convenient complementary and alternative therapy for insomnia. This trial is registered with PROSPERO CRD 42020169866.

A Key Node Mining Method Based on Acupoint-Disease Network (ADN): A New Perspective for Exploring Acupoint Specificity.

In the process of treating pro-diseases with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors may fine-tune acupuncture prescriptions according to different prior experiences. Different prescriptions will affect the efficiency and effect of acupuncture treatment, and even excessive acupoint selection may cause psychological pressure on patients. We still lack an effective means to analyze the meridian system and acupoint specificity to clarify the mapping relationship between acupoints and diseases. Given the inability of modern medical technology to provide effective evidence support for meridians and acupoints, we combined acupuncture theory with network science for an interdisciplinary discussion. In this paper, we constructed a weighted undirected acupoint-disease network (ADN) based on clinical acupuncture prescription literature and proposed a high-specificity key node mining method based on ADN. Combined with the principle of acupoint selection in TCM, the proposed method balanced the contribution of local areas to the network based on the distribution characteristics of meridians and selected 30 key acupoints with high influence on the global topology according to the evaluation index of key nodes. Finally, we compared the proposed method with the other six classical node importance evaluation algorithms in terms of resolution, network loss, and accuracy. The comprehensive results show that the marked key acupoint nodes make outstanding contributions to the connectivity, topological structure, and weighted benefits of the network, and the stability and specificity of the algorithm guarantee the reliability of the key acupoint nodes. We consider that these key acupoints with high centrality in ADN can be used as core acupoints to help researchers explore targeted and high-impact acupoint combinations under resource constraints and optimize existing acupuncture prescriptions.

Rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccup: a study based on complex network analysis

To explore the rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccups. Original research articles on acupuncture treatment of hiccup were collected from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Pubmed by using key words of "hiccup", "acupuncture" "diaphragmatic spasm" "body acupuncture" "filiform needle" and "electroacupuncture". According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected data were extracted to establish an acupuncture prescription database for hiccup. Then, the regularities of acupoint combinations for hiccup were analyzed by using Gephi complex network analysis software. ;A total of 606 articles containing 634 acupoint prescriptions for acupuncture treatment of hiccups were brought into analysis. There were 133 single-acupoint prescriptions (20.98%), which was significantly lower than the multi-acupoint prescription (501, accounting for 79.02%). There were mainly acupoints in multi-acupoint prescriptions, and distal-proximal acupoint combination method were often used as the basis of acupoint selection (326, accounting for 65.07%). A total of 163 acupoints were involved, with a total frequency of 2 969. Among them, Neiguan(PC6) was used most frequently (400 times, accounting for 13.47%), followed by Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), Danzhong (CV17), and Taichong (LR3). The acupoints of the Conceptional Vessel(666 times, accounting for 22.43%), and Stomach Meridian, Pericardium Meridian and Liver Meridian were chiefly used. There were 67 specific acupoints, the frequency of use was 2 555 times(accounting for 86.05% of the total frequency), among which the frequency of the five Shu-points was the highest (875 times, accounting for 29.47% of the total frequency), and followed by eight confluence points. ;The core acupoints are PC6, ST36, CV12, etc. and the distal-proximal acupoint combination method found in this study are often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of hiccup.

Acupoint selection principles in acupuncture and moxibustion for obesity based on Q-PSO algorithm

ObjectiveTo explore core acupoints and acupoint selection principles in acupuncture and moxibustion for obesity, from syndrome differentiation prescriptions of the acupuncture- moxibustion therapy in 808 obesity prescriptions, by using node centrality and cluster analysis methods in complex network. MethodsFirstly, an acupoint network model is established, and acupoint nodes are assessed and calculated in multiple aspects by introducing the node centrality analysis idea of complex network, to excavate core acupoint nodes. Secondly, a cluster analysis is carried out on acupoint network by the cluster algorithm Q-PSO in complex network, to investigate the acupoint combination principles. ResultsZúsānlĭ (足三里 ST36), Tiānshū (天枢 ST25), Fēnglóng (丰隆 ST40), Zhōngwăn (中脘 CV12) and Qìhăi (气海 CV6), etc., were included into the core acupoint Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交 SP6) community. Zhīgōu (支沟 TE6), Nèitíng (内庭 ST44), Shàngjùxū (上巨虚 ST37), and Pǐshū (脾俞 BL20) etc., were included into the core acupoint Yīnlíngquán (阴陵泉 SP9) community. Báihuánshū (白环俞 BL30) and Zhìyáng(至阳 GV9) were included into the core acupoint Dàchángshū (大肠俞 BL25) community. Bìguān (髀关 ST31) was a single community. Among all the acupoint nodes, SP6, ST25, SP9, ST36, CV6, Qūchí (曲池 LI11), and Guānyuán (关元 CV4) were of high degree centrality and eigenvector centrality, directly reflecting their importance in acupoint selection prescriptions. ConclusionThe Q-PSO algorithm is characterized with high precision and high efficiency, etc. The core acupoints and their combination principles explored by this algorithm are in accordance with clinical experiences.

Acupuncture for Primary Osteoporosis: Evidence, Potential Treatment Prescriptions, and Mechanisms.

Many clinical trials and meta-analyses related to acupuncture for osteoporosis (OP) have been published. However, identifying the evidence from these studies still remains a challenge for acupuncturists. We conducted a systematic search of the Chinese Biomedical Medicine (CBM), VIP Database, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Springer, Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify relevant trials, systematic reviews, and/or meta-analyses up to October 31, 2018. Data were extracted to assess the methodological quality using Veritas plots and to explore potential acupuncture prescriptions using the Traditional Chinese Medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS). In addition, potential mechanisms of core acupoints identified by data mining were summarized based on published studies. A total of 218 clinical trials and ten meta-analyses were included, involving 212 acupuncture prescriptions, 102 acupoints, 13 meridians, three extra meridians, and one Ashi point. The mean Veritas score of publication year, type of study, Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, heterogeneity, and publication bias were 5.5, 7.2, 6, 5.6, 5.8, and 7.5, respectively. The study of Pan et al. received the highest Veritas score of 8.67 points. The most frequently used meridian was BL. Acupoint combinations BL23 and BL20, BL23 and GV4, and BL23 and ST36 were used frequently. The core acupoints association networks were acupoints BL23, BL20, ST36, GV4, SP6, CV4, and KI3. The potential mechanisms of core acupoints involved upregulated expression of members in OPG/RANKL, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK pathways, such as LRP5, β-catenin, Runx2, and OPG. In conclusion, our Veritas plots enable acupuncturists to evaluate key attributes of meta-analysis quality related to acupuncture for primary OP and to improve the quality of evidence-based medicine relating to acupuncture. Data mining analysis revealed an association network of meridians, acupoint combinations, core acupoints, and the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture for primary OP.

Analysis on acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease based on complex network

To explore the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in modern clinical practice by complex network technology. The relevant articles of clinical trials were retrieved from CNKI published before December 2017. Using Microsoft Excel 2010, the database was established. Using Gephi 0.8.2 software, the complex network mode was built and its topological structure was analyzed. Finally, 81 articles were eligible and 114 acupoint prescriptions were extracted. The constructed complex network of acupoint prescriptions for AD was characteristics as small world effect and scale-free property, the crucial acupoints included Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Yintang (GV 29), Shenmen (HT 7), Shenting (GV 24), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Taichong (LR 3). In acupoint combination, Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were the most common, and the combination of the distal and nearby points was predominant. Using k-core for acupoint optimization, 29 core acupoints were screened and they were mostly located on the governor vessel and the head and neck, with the highest use frequency. 82.76% of acupoints were specific acupoints and the influential points were dominant. Using community structure partition, these acupoints were classified into two groups, i.e. deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. The selection of local acupoints is the first choice in acupuncture treatment for AD. The combination of distal and nearby points is the most common and the special points are the core. In clinical practice, the great consideration is provided on mind regulation, integration of disease and symptoms, the mutual treatment of the primary and the secondary as well as the deficiency and the excess.

Regularity of Acupoint Selection for Simple Obesity Treated by Acupoint Catgut Embedding Based on Complex Network Technology

To analyze the core acupoints and acupoint combinations of catgut embedding for simple obesity based on the complex network technology. Articles about acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity were collec-ted from databases of PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from 1980 to 2016 by using keywords "simple obesity" "obesity" "acupoint embedding" "acupuncture" and "traditional Chinese medicine"， followed by constructing a database of acupoint prescription. Acupoint node (one node means an acupoint) weighted complex network was constructed by using complex network technique, followed by conducting centrality analysis and clustering analysis about the nodes using Matlab 2014, a software for revealing the core acupoint node and compatibility relations. At last, theresults (complex network diagram) were displayed using software Gephi 0.9.1. A total of 238 articles (all in Chinese) including 278 acupoints (of which 115 are meridian acupoints) were collected. The top 15 core acupoints are Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Fenglong (ST 40), San-yinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Guanyuan (CV 4), Pishu (BL 20), Qihai (CV 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Daheng (SP 15), Shuifen (CV 9), and Ganshu (BL 18), mainly distributing in the abdomen, lower limbs and back. Those acupoints with the highest core degree are attributed to the Stomach Meridian, Conception Vessel, Bladder Meri-dian, Spleen Meridian and Large Intestine Meridian. Regarding the compatibility of these acupoints, ST 25 and CV 12 have the highe-st correlation frequency, followed by ST 25 and ST 36, and ST 40 and ST 25, indicating the principle of different combinations being regional acupoints and meridian acupoints. In the treatment of simple obesity with catgut embedding, top 15 core acupoints as ST 25, ST 36, CV 12, ST 40, etc, and acupoint recipes as ST 25 and CV 12, ST 25 and ST 36, ST 40 and ST 25 are most frequently used in clinical practice.

Prescription analysis of electroacupuncture for simple obesity based on complex network technique

To analyze the core acupoints and compatibility of electroacupuncture (EA) for simple obesity based on complex network technique, and to explore the usage of EA waveform. The clinical research literature regarding EA for simple obesity published from January of 1980 to June of 2016 were searched in PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM and TCM online database to establish a prescription database of EA for simple obesity. The Matlab2014a software was used to perform the center analysis and cluster analysis, and the analysis of core points and compatibility were conducted. Gephi 9.1 software was used to demonstrate the complex network diagram to further analyze the usage of EA waveform. Totally 238 prescriptions were obtained. The selection of acupoints at yang-meridians were equally important with acupoints at yin-meridians. The meridians with highest core degree were stomach meridian, conception vessel and spleen meridian. The acupoints with highest core degree were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36). The cluster analysis indicated three acupoint clusters, including the key-acupoint cluster, syndrome-acupoint cluster, and ashi-point cluster; it was revealed Tianshu (ST 25) and Zhongwan (CV 12) had the highest intensity of compatibility. The sparse-dense wave was mostly used in EA for simple obesity, followed by continuous wave, indicating both sparse-dense wave and continuous wave had high clinical application value. The acupoints of EA for simple obesity are mainly in stomach meridian, conception vessel and spleen meridian; sparse-dense wave is mostly used, followed by continuous wave.

Analysis of the prescription of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity based on complex network techniques

ObjectiveTo explore the core acupoints and combination rules of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity, and to further analyze the characteristics of the prescription of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity. MethodsRelevant clinical study literature in recent 30 years in PubMed, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Database, VIP Database and TCM Online Database was retrieved, and eligible articles were selected in order to build a prescription database of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity. On the basis of complex network techniques, the core acupoints and combination rules of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity were analyzed, and the characteristics of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity were analyzed comprehensively. ResultsThere were 46 network nodes of auricular acupoint. The top 16 core acupoints for auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity included Nèifēnmì (内分泌CO18), Pí (脾CO13), Wèi (胃CO4), Sānjiāo (三焦CO17), Jīdiăn (饥点), Shénmén (神门TF4), Dàcháng (大肠CO7), Pízhìxià (皮质下AT4), Fèi (肺CO14), Shèn (肾CO10), Jiāogăn (交感AH6a), Kŏu (口CO1), Gān (肝CO12), Xiăocháng (小肠CO6) and Năo (脑). The combination of auricular acupoints was mainly based on the main indications of acupoints. The analysis of auricular acupoints combination indicated that the combination of CO4 with CO18 was applied most frequently, which was followed by the combinations of CO13 with CO18 and CO13 with CO4. According to the analysis of auricular acupoint stimulation methods, ear point taping and pressing with Wángbùliúxíng (王不留行, Semen Vaccariae) seeds was used frequently, which was followed by magnetic beads taping and pressing and pyonex therapy. Auricular acupoint therapy combined with acupuncture for simple obesity was used most commonly, which was followed by auricular acupoint therapy combined with catgut embedment in acupoint and simple auricular acupoint therapy. ConclusionIn this study, the core acupoints and combinations of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity were explored effectively, and the pressing materials and major combined intervention methods were summarized and analyzed, thus providing references and treatment thoughts in terms of the point and prescription selection of auricular acupoint therapy for simple obesity.