[Rule mining of acupoint and medication selection of acupoint application therapy for functional constipation].

Objective: To analyze the rules of acupoint and medication selection of acupoint application therapy for functional constipation (FC) by data mining technology.

Methods: The clinical research literature regarding acupoint application therapy for FC from published to February 26, 2020 was searched in CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed and PubMed. The prescriptions were extracted, and by using SPSS24.0 and SPSS Modeler14.0 software, the use of high-frequency acupoints and medication was summarized. The association rule analysis, cluster analysis and core prescription analysis of acupoints and medication were analyzed.

Results: A total of 122 prescriptions of acupoint application therapy were included, involving 32 acupoints. The core prescription of acupoints was Tianshu (ST 25), Dachangshu (BL 25), Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The high-frequency meridians mainly included conception vessel, stomach meridian of foot and bladder meridian of foot. The core prescription of medication was rheum officinale, mirabilite, immature bitter orange, mangnolia officinalis, common aucklandia root and borneol.

Conclusion: The use of local acupoint and regulating- and purgating medication is an important principle of acupoint application therapy for FC.