The explorationon on the characteristics of acupoint selection and the rule of acupoint combination in treatment of insomnia with acupuncture and moxibustion: Complex network analysis: 利用复杂网络探析针灸治疗失眠的选穴特点及腧穴配伍规律

Abstract Objective To analyze the rule of acupoint combination of insomnia treated with modern acupuncture-moxibustion with complex network technology and further reveal the internal characteristics of acupoint combination. Methods Using computer retrieval, the relevant clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of insomnia were searched from China National knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP) and Pubmed Database in recent 5 years. The articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then the database was set up and the acupoint prescriptions of acupuncture and moxibustion were extracted. Using Excel 2016 software, the data were processed and the frequency analysis was conducted. With SPSS Modeler 18.0, the association rules were analyzed. Using Gephi 0.9.2, the community analysis and complex network analysis were conducted. Results Finally, 766 articles were eligible and 1276 acupoint prescriptions were extracted with 186 acupoints involved. The acupoints with the highest frequency of use were Shenmen (神门HT7), Baihui (百会GV20) and Sānyīnjiāo (三阴交SP6). The meridians with the highest frequency were bladder meridian and the governor vessel. The acupoints located on the head and foot were mostly selected. The specific points involved were the crossing points, five-shu points and yuan-source points. The main core paired points referred to HT7 and SP6, HT7 and GV20 as well as HT7 and Neiguān (内关PC6). The meridians with the highest confidence level appeared among heart meridian of hand-shaoyin, spleen meridian of foot-taiyin and kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin. The modular analysis of complex network obtained 4 core communities and topology analysis obtained 35 core points. The main prescription was composed of HT7, GV20, SP6, Sishencōng (四神聪EX-HN1), PC6, Taixī (太溪KI3), Zusānlĭ (足三里ST36), Taichōng (太冲LR3), Ānmian (安眠EX-HN18), Yintang (印堂EX-HN3), Zhaohai (照海KI6), Shēnmai (申脉BL62) and Fēngchi (风池GB20). Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy focuses on regulating the mind/spirit of the heart and brain, as well as of five zang organs. The general treatment principles are regaining consciousness and opening the orifice, replenishing yin and reducing yang, nourishing the heart and tranquilizing. The supplementary points are mostly the combination of distal and nearby points and the combination of the acupoints located in the upper and the lower parts of the body. The back-shu points and the front-mu points are generally used, while the crossing point as the specific point is especially applied. All of these summaries provide the reference and guidance for clinical application and scientific research.