Investigating the selection and combination of acupoints for bloodletting and moxibustion therapies based on data mining

Background: Despite the extensive clinical application of bloodletting therapy and moxibustion therapy, a notable gap persists in the literature concerning the criteria for selecting acupoints, their combinations, and the specific diseases they address. This lack of comprehensive understanding impedes the optimization of these traditional therapeutic approaches. This study seeks to bridge this gap by employing data mining techniques to elucidate the fundamental principles underpinning these therapies and to identify the most effective criteria for the selection and combination of acupoints. Methods: Medical cases involving acupuncture therapy, bloodletting therapy, and moxibustion therapy were extracted from the “Selected Readings of Acupuncture Expert’s Medical Cases.” Professionals were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria to ensure the relevance and quality of the cases. Data analysis was conducted via TCM Miner tools, with a focus on frequency and association rules to discern patterns in acupoint selection and combination. Results: A total of 129 medical cases involving bloodletting therapy and 122 cases involving moxibustion therapy were analyzed. Bloodletting therapy was predominantly employed to treat conditions such as stroke (A07.01.01) and sore throat (A14.03), with Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quze (PC3), and Weizhong (BL40) emerging as the most frequently utilized acupoints. The bladder meridian of foot-Taiyang was more commonly employed, with acupoints predominantly located in the head, neck, and limbs. Network analysis revealed that the acupoint pairs Quze-Taiyang (PC3-EX-HN5) and Quze-Weizhong (PC3-BL40) were the most commonly used. Moxibustion therapy was primarily adopted to treat gastralgia (A17.30) and diarrhea (A04.03.07), with Zusanli (ST36), Qihai (CV6), and Guanyuan (CV4) being the most frequently utilized acupoints. The Ren Meridian was more commonly used, with acupoints primarily located in the abdomen. Network analysis indicated that the acupoint pairs Zhongwan-Qihai (CV12-CV6), Qihai-Zusanli (CV6-ST36), and Pishu-Zusanli (BL20-ST36) were the most frequently used. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the selection of optimal diseases, acupoints, and their combinations for bloodletting and moxibustion therapies. The findings from data mining offer a deeper understanding of the clinical applications of these traditional therapies, potentially guiding more effective treatment strategies in the future. The results underscore the importance of further research to refine and validate these findings, ultimately enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of bloodletting and moxibustion in clinical practice.