Identification of Acupoint Indication from Reverse Inference: Data Mining of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Abstract

The specificity of acupoint indication (i.e., reverse inference—diseases for which an acupoint could be used) might differ from the specificity of acupoint selection (i.e., forward inference—acupoints used for a disease). In this study, we explore acupoint specificity through reverse inferences from the dataset of prescribed acupoints for a certain disease in clinical trials. We searched acupuncture treatment regimens in randomized controlled trials included in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. For forward inference, the acupoints prescribed for each disease were quantified. For reverse inference, diseases for each acupoint were quantified. Data were normalized using Z-scores. Bayes factor correction was performed to adjust for the prior probability of diseases. The specificities of acupoint selections in 30 diseases were determined using forward inference. The specificities of acupoint indications regarding 49 acupoints were identified using reverse inference and then subjected to Bayes factor correction. Two types of acupoint indications were identified for 24 acupoints: regional and distal. Our approach suggests that the specificity of acupoint indication can be inferred from clinical data using reverse inference. Acupoint indication will improve our understanding of acupoint specificity and will lead to the establishment of a new model of analysis and educational resources for acupoint characteristics.

Diversity of Acupuncture Point Selections According to the Acupuncture Styles and Their Relations to Theoretical Elements in Traditional Asian Medicine: A Data-Mining-Based Literature Study

“…Reviewing the classical medical textbooks can provide meaningful information to understand current AP prescriptions [ 23 ]. Despite the fact that classical medical textbooks have affected current AP prescriptions, however, they are not the same [ 25 , 44 ]. Further research based on data obtained from clinicians with different acupuncture styles is necessary to confirm our literature analysis-based results.…”

Diachronic analysis of major acupoints used in ancient and current acupuncture treatments: Changes in main acupoints over time

“…The Acusynth database comprised acupoint combinations for 30 disorders from 30 CDSRs. 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 Studies have described the major acupoint selection patterns in both ancient and modern practice. 3 , 17 …”

“… 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 Studies have described the major acupoint selection patterns in both ancient and modern practice. 3 , 17 …”

Characteristics of five-phase acupoints from data mining of randomized controlled clinical trials followed by multidimensional scaling

“… 4 , 9 Additional acupoints indications have also been revealed based on the relationships between individual acupoints and diseases found in clinical trials listed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). 10 A subsequent analysis of the same database found that commonly used acupoints, most of which were five-phase acupoints, have been used to treat various pain conditions. 11 , 12 Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that the spatial pattern of each meridian's indication was similar to the route of the corresponding meridian.…”