Application of Acupoints and Meridians for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Data Mining-Based Literature Study

Abstract

Background. Dysmenorrhea is a common problem for which acupuncture provides effective analgesia. Although acupoint selection affects the effectiveness of acupuncture, the basic rules of acupoint selection are little understood. This study aims to investigate the principles of acupoint selection and characteristics of acupoints used for primary dysmenorrhea. Methods. PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Database were searched for clinical trials published in English or Chinese from January 1978 to April 2014 evaluating the effect of acupuncture on primary dysmenorrhea, with or without methods of randomization and/or control. Three authors extracted information and two reviewers inputted information on titles, journals, interventions, main acupoints, and outcomes using the self-established Data Excavation Platform of Acupoint Specificity for data mining. Results. Sanyinjiao (SP06), Guanyuan (CV04), and Qihai (CV06) were used most frequently. The most frequently used meridians were Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin, and Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang. 67.24% of acupoints used were specific acupoints. Acupoints on lower limbs were most frequently used. Conclusion. Data mining is a feasible approach to identify the characteristics of acupoint selection. Our study indicated that modern acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea is based on selection of specific acupoints according to traditional acupuncture theory.

Electroacupuncture is Beneficial for Primary Dysmenorrhea: The Evidence from Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Sanyinjiao (SP6), located medially four-finger wide above the ankle, has been the major acupoint to be used for treating PD since ancient times according to the meridian theory of Chinese acupuncture. Further, it is used most frequently in treating PD according to our previous data mining analysis from literature [ 48 ]. In addition, recent RCTs have shown that SP6 stimulation could relieve the abdominal pain and improve the menstrual pain-related symptoms [ 49 , 50 ].…”

Moxibustion for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial

“…For the moxibustion group, two different TCM patterns of acupoints are selected for treatments (including diagnostic pattern 1: Qi-stagnation and blood stasis, and diagnostic pattern 2: congealing cold-camp). The acupoints for moxibustion treatment was based on data mining [ 27 , 28 ] from literature and expert opinions. Guanyuan (CV4), Shenque (CV8), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were selected as key acupoints receiving moxa heat stimulation.…”

Herbal medicine (Gyejibongneyong-hwan) for treating primary dysmenorrhoea: a protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

“…Among the alternative approaches, GBH, also known as Guizhi-Fuling-Wan (pill), is a widely used remedy for PD and has been employed since ancient times in East Asia. 13 21 22 GBH was first prescribed in the Essential prescriptions from the golden cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lue) by Zhang Zhongjing of the Han Dynasty (206 bc –220ad). 23 The five ingredients of GBH are ramulus cinnamomi cassiae, sclerotium poriae cocos, cortex moutan radicis, semen pruni persicae and radix paeoniae lactiflorae, and these ingredients are combined in a ratio of 1:1:1:1:1.…”