A Study on the Regularity of Acupoint Match Based on Association Rules with SP6 as the Main Acupoint and Its Clinical Application.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore formula patterns and application rules for SP6 as the main acupoint in prescriptions, utilizing association rules.

METHODS: We conducted an extensive search in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (CDDB), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ), PubMed and Web of Science databases for literature published between January 2013 and June 2023, focusing on acupuncture prescriptions with SP6 as the main acupoint for various diseases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied for literature screening. Relevant data was extracted, creating a database. Acupoints in conjunction with SP6 were analyzed using SPSS Modeler 18.0 and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software for acupoints appearing ≥15 times. Gephi software constructed a complex network model. The frequency of acupuncture points was analyzed to summarize the composition rules and clinical application rules of acupuncture points.

RESULTS: A total of 902 articles met inclusion criteria, yielding 672 prescriptions with SP6 as the main acupoint, paired with 197 different acupoints including ST36, CV4, and LI4. Neurological, obstetric, and gynecologic, as well as urological diseases, were predominantly treated. Among them, the predominant diseases include insomnia, primary dysmenorrhea, sequelae of stroke, and others, totaling 42 types.

CONCLUSION: SP6-based prescriptions exhibit diverse applications, effectively treating insomnia, post-stroke sequelae, and primary dysmenorrhea. Commonly paired acupoints belong to Conception Vessel, Stomach meridian of foot-yangming, and Governor Vessel, and there are certain rules in their composition.