Analysis of acupoint selection rules for acupuncture treatment of functional constipation based on data mining

Objective To analyze the characteristics of acupoint selection in treatment for functional constipation. Methods Clinical literature on acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy for functional constipation from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023, was retrieved from CNKI. The acupuncture prescriptions were collected and organized, and data mining techniques were employed to analyze the patterns of acupoint selection. Results A total of 182 articles were included, yielding 123 acupuncture prescriptions involving 92 acupoints with usage frequency of 967 times. The top 10 acupoints in frequency were Tianshu (158 times), Shangjuxu (138 times), Dachangshu (61 times), Zusanli (60 times), Zhigou (57 times), Fujie (57 times), Guanyuan (35 times), Zhongwan (34 times), Qihai (34 times), and Quchi (28 times). The meridians of the selected acupoints for acupuncture treatment of functional constipation were mainly involved in stomach, bladder, Ren, and spleen meridians. Association rule analysis revealed that the combination of Tianshu-Shangjuxu had the highest occurrence probability (75.82%), followed by Tianshu-Dachangshu (33.52%) and Tianshu-Zusanli (32.97%). Cluster analysis of acupoints showed that the main acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment of functional constipation could be divided into 10 clusters, including primary acupoints, acupoints for various syndrome types, acupoints for regulating spirit, and acupoints for regulating sympathetic nerves. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment for functional constipation should follow the principles of holistic treatment and syndrome differentiation, combined with the methods of selecting acupoints based on their upper-lower, proximal-distal, and anterior-posterior relationships. The acupoint selection patterns identified in this study can provide important references for clinical treatment of functional constipation, offer guidance for practitioners in acupoint selection, facilitate precise treatment, and promote early patient recovery.