The analysis of acupoint selection rules for acupuncture treating functional constipation

• Main Authors: Ai-Li Xu, Wei Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editorial Board of Journal of Hainan Medical University 2020-07-01
• Series: Journal of Hainan Medical University
• Subjects: acupuncture; functional constipation; acupoint; randomized controlled trial; association rules
• Online Access: http://www.hnykdxxb.com/PDF/202013/10.pdf

Objective: To analyze the prescription rule of acupuncture for functional constipation (FC), and explore the effective core clinical acupuncture prescriptions. Methods：The randomized controlled trials published in the PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were retrieved from January 1, 2010 to January 31, 2020. And the key information about acupuncture therapy for FC in these RCTs was collected according to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eventually, the statisticians analyzed the use frequency of single acupoints and meridian acupoints by descriptive statistical method and explored the combination rule between different acupoints by association rules. Results: Twenty six randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 29 acupoints. Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Zhongwan (RN12) were the top 3 frequency of acupuncture therapy for FC and the top 3 frequency meridian had been chosen were the stomach meridian of Foot-Yangming, the spleen meridian of Foot-Taiyin and Ren channel. The two acupoints with high support and compatibility frequency ranking in the top 3 are Tianshu (ST25) - Shangjuxu (ST37), Tianshu (ST25) - Zhongwan (RN12), Tianshu (ST25) - Zusanli (ST36). The three acupoints with compatibility frequency ranking in the top 2 are Tianshu (ST25) - Shangjuxu (ST37) - Zusanli (ST36), and Tianshu (ST25) - Shangjuxu (ST37) - Zhigou (SJ6). Conclusion: Tianshu (ST25) is the most common acupoint for acupuncture therapy of FC. Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) are the core acupoints to provide basis for clinical practice and future clinical research.