Research on Laws of Acupoint Selection of Acupuncture for Generalized Anxiety Disorder / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the laws of acupoint selection of acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); To provide references for clinical treatment.Methods Computers were used to search articles about acupuncture for GAD from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database Resource System, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database) and Chinese BioMedical Literature (CBM) from their respective founding dates to Dec. 31, 2015. The corresponding database was established with NoteExpress2, and the laws of acupoints were analyzed.Results Totally 41 articles were included, including 56 acupuncture prescriptions, involving 50 acupoints in 14 meridians. The frequency for acupoint selection was 287 times. There were 49 main acupoints (225 times of acupoint selection, accounting for 98.0%) and 23 matching acupoints (62 times of acupoint selection, accounting for 46.0%) in the treatment of GAD. Main acupoints with high frequency were Baihui (GV20), Shenmen (HT07), Neiguan (PC06), Sanyinjiao (SP06) and Yintang (GV29). Matching acupoints with high frequency were Zusanli (ST36), Taichong (LR3), Neiguan (PC06), Shenmen (HT07), and Fenglong (ST40). Selecting acupoints along meridian mainly depended on Governor Meridian, Taiyang Bladder Meridian of Foot, Shaoyin Heart Meridian of Hand and Jueyin Pericardium Meridian of Hand.ConclusionPrinciples of acupuncture for GAD is treatment determination from heart and brain, emphasizing syndrome differentiation and identification of diseases, and the clinic mainly adopts acupoints along meridian with symptomatic acupoints treatment.