Objective: To identify the acupoint combinations used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: The clinical literature regarding acupuncture and moxibustion for AD was searched and collected from databases including Chinese Biomedical Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and PubMed. The database of acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions for AD was established by using Excel software so as to conduct the descriptive analysis, association analysis on the data.
Results: Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenting (GV 24), Fenglong (ST 40), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Shuigou (GV 26) and Taichong (LR 3) were of higher frequency in the treatment of AD with acupnucture and moxibustion. Most acupoints were selected from the Governor Vessel. The commonly used acupoints were located on the head, face, neck and lower limbs. The combination of the local acupoints with the distal ones was predominated. The crossing points among the specific points presented the advantage in the treatment. The association analysis indicated that the correlation among Fengchi (GB 20)-Baihui (GV 20) was the strongest, followed by combinations of Dazhui (GV 14)-Baihui (GV 20), Shenshu (BL 23)- Baihui (GV 20) and Neiguan (PC 6)- Baihui (GV 20) and indicated the common rules of the clinical acupoint selection and combination for AD.
Conclusion: Our findings provide a reference for acupoints selection and combination for AD in clinical acupuncture practice.
Keywords: Acupuncture points; Alzheimer disease; Clinical application; Data mining.