Data Mining of Acupuncture Prescriptions for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Literature-Based Analysis of Acupoint Patterns...

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and functional limitations of the elbow. Acupuncture is increasingly employed as an adjunctive therapy for LE, owing to its potential to alleviate symptoms. Significant heterogeneity persists in clinical acupuncture protocols, and the optimal selection of acupoints remains inadequately defined, thereby limiting the generalizability and standardization of treatment approaches.

This study seeks to identify and synthesize the most frequently used and effective acupoint combinations for LE treatment through the application of data mining techniques to analyze existing clinical literature.

Eight electronic databases were searched for studies on acupuncture treatments for LE published from January 2015 to March 2025. Randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials that reported acupuncture prescriptions for LE were included. Reviews, meta-analyses, protocols, animal experiments, guidelines, and case reports were excluded. Literature screening and data extraction were performed based on predefined criteria. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used for descriptive statistical analysis. Association rule analysis was performed using R Version 4.5.0. A visual association network of acupoints was generated using Cytoscape 3.10.1. OriginPro2024 was used for clustering and correlation analyses of acupoints.

Forty-two articles were included according to the established criteria. Regarding treatment parameters, the most frequently used needle type was 0.30 mm × 40 mm, and a 30-minute retention time was predominant. The most common treatment frequency was 7 days per week, with total duration most commonly being 20 days. Regarding acupoint selection, the most frequently used acupoints were Ashi point, Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4) and Waiguan (TE5). The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming was the most frequently used meridian. Among specific point categories, five-shu points were the most frequently employed. The frequency of acupoints used was highest in the elbow. The association analysis showed the most supported acupoint pair was LI11 and LI10. Core acupoints identified for LE treatment included Ashi point, LI4, LI11, LI10 and TE5. By hierarchical cluster analysis, the acupuncture points were categorized into four categories.

This review identified 0.30 mm × 40 mm needles, 30‑minute retention, 7 sessions weekly, and 20 days total duration as the predominant treatment parameters for lateral epicondylitis. The core acupoints included Ashi, LI11, LI10, LI4, and TE5. Notably, the combination of LI11 and LI10 constituted the most significant association rule. The Large Intestine Meridian and five‑shu points were most frequently used, and acupoint distribution was highest in the elbow. These findings provide evidence-based support for clinical acupuncture decision-making, yet further prospective trials are needed to confirm the validity of these patterns.