title: 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.
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Siyi
authors: S
authors: Yu
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Jie
authors: 0000-0002-6787-0938
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Mingxiao
authors: 0000-0002-6514-3366
authors: M
authors: Yang
authors: Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan 610225, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Gao
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Jiao
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Yulan
authors: Y
authors: Ren
authors: Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China.
authors: Leixiao
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Chen
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Fanrong
authors: F
authors: Liang
authors: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shierqiao Road, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, China.
authors: Youping
authors: Y
authors: Hu