Regularity of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome

  Objective  To analyze point selection rules of acupoint selection of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-C).

  Methods  Clinical research literatures on acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of IBS-C from January 1, 2004 to August 15, 2021 in China National Knowledge Resource Database, Chinese academic journal database, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were retrieved. Acupoint prescriptions for IBS-C by acupuncture and moxibustion treatment were searched to establish a database, and IBM SPSS26.0 and Climentine 12.0 were used to perform luster and correlation analysis.

  Results  A total of 63 documents were included, involving 63 acupuncture prescriptions and 40 acupuncture points. Among them, the high-frequency acupoints were Tianshu, Zusanli, Shangjuxu, Dachangshu, and Zhongwan. The most frequently used meridian was the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian; the acupoints were mainly concentrated in the lower limbs, chest and abdomen; the most commonly used specific acupoint was the He-sea point. Tianshu and Zusanli played important roles in the treatment of IBS-C.

  Conclusion  Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for IBS-C follows the principles of selecting acupoints along the meridian as the main point, and syndrome differentiation as supplemented principle, and has the characteristic of specific acupoint treatment.