Assessment of acupoint selection strategies in management of functional dyspepsia

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Created On: 18/10/2023

A study sought to use data mining technology to examine the regularity of acupoint combinations used in treating functional dyspepsia.

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Key take away

The primary acupoints for treating functional dyspepsia are ST36, PC6, ST25, and CV12, while for cases with dysphoria symptoms, the recommended acupoint prescription includes ST36, ST25, CV17, CV12, and PC6.

Background

A study sought to use data mining technology to examine the regularity of acupoint combinations used in treating functional dyspepsia.

Method

Overall, 9 databases were systematically searched to determine eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The acupoint prescriptions for treating functional dyspepsia were then extracted and subjected to analysis using association rule mining and network analysis. Furthermore, a quantification of the acupoints prescribed for functional dyspepsia's irritability symptom was performed through Bayes factor correction, reverse inference, and forward inference.

Result

As found, 45 RCTs were incorporated, encompassing 30 different acupoints and involving a combined total application frequency of 172 times. The assessment of acupoint prescriptions encompassed 29 meridian acupoints and one extraordinary point, distributed among 10 meridians. In terms of application frequency, Zusanli (ST36, 19.77%), Neiguan (PC6, 16.86%), and Zhongwan (CV12, 12.21%) were the top three acupoints. The foot yangming stomach meridian was the most commonly involved meridian, with 34 applications.

PC6 and ST36 were the most commonly used acupoint combination. Core prescriptions featured ST36, PC6, Tianshu (ST25), and CV12. Regarding the specific acupoint selection for functional dyspepsia with dysphoria, forward inference identified ST36, ST25, Danzhong (CV17), CV12, Qimen (LR14), Taichong (LR3), and PC6. Utilizing Bayes factor correction and reverse inference, the selected acupoints were ST36, ST25, Sanyinjiao (SP6), CV17, CV12, and PC6.

Conclusion

In the treatment of functional dyspepsia, primary prescriptions may include ST36, PC6, ST25, and CV12. However, when addressing functional dyspepsia with symptoms of dysphoria, the recommended acupoint prescription comprises ST36, ST25, CV17, CV12, and PC6.