Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Insomnia Disorder: Exploration of Prescription Patterns and Characteristics Using Multivariate Data Analysis

Introduction Acupuncture and moxibustion therapies effectively treat insomnia disorder (ID). This study aims to use multivariate data analysis to elucidate patterns of acupoint selection and application characteristics of acupuncture for ID and to optimize acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions for its treatment. Methods Clinical studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for ID were systematically retrieved, screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and used to establish a literature‐based database of acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions for ID. Descriptive analysis, association rule analysis, and complex network analysis were used to explore the common clinical practices of acupuncture and moxibustion, rules governing acupoint selection, the syndrome differentiation–based acupoint combinations, and the electrostimulation parameters. Results A total of 365 articles were included, from which 442 prescriptions were extracted. These comprised 331 filiform needling prescriptions involving 152 acupoints with a cumulative frequency of 1795 uses, indicating that filiform needling was the most frequently applied technique. The core acupoints identified were GV20, EX–HN1, HT7, BL62, PC6, SP6, KI6, GV24, and ST36. The acupoints primarily belonged to the governor vessel, the bladder meridian of foot‐Taiyang, and the heart meridian of hand‐Shaoyin, with the highest concentration of acupoints distributed in the head, face, and neck regions. The SP6–GV20–HT7 combination was frequently applied in clinical practice and held significant practical guidance value. The core acupoints for electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of ID included EX–HN1, GV20, GV29, SP6, GB20, Anmian, and EX–HN5. EA was commonly applied to stimulate acupoints, most often using a continuous 2 Hz wave, with the intensity adjusted according to the patient’s tolerance. Moxibustion, special acupuncture therapies based on acupoints, and a special needle acupuncture method were analyzed in terms of the main acupoints selected for needle insertion. Although their acupoint selection overlapped with that of filiform needling, each modality showed distinct emphases. These therapies primarily focus on points located on the trunk and limbs, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of Zang‐fu organ functions. Pattern‐oriented point selections were as follows: LR3, LR2, and BL18 were selected for the liver qi stagnation transforming into a fire pattern; BL20, BL15, and ST36 were used for the deficiency of the heart and spleen pattern; KI3, BL23, and BL15 were chosen for the disharmony between the heart and kidney pattern; BL19, BL15, and GB40 were applied for the qi deficiency of the heart and gallbladder pattern; and ST40, ST44, and CV12 were selected for the phlegm‐fire harassing the heart system pattern. Conclusions Acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of ID emphasize balancing yin and yang and calming the mind. The filiform needling method is the primary technique. Various acupuncture approaches exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of acupoint selection and underlying mechanisms of action and are often flexibly combined in clinical practice to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The selection of core acupoints follows the “three‐tiered point selection strategy” in traditional Chinese medicine. Syndrome differentiation of ID is predominantly based on eight main syndrome types, with acupoints allocated according to the differentiated pattern. Particular attention is given to the use of specific points and electrostimulation techniques, reflecting the holistic philosophy of acupuncture. This study provides data support and theoretical foundations for optimizing acupuncture strategies for ID and suggests that further research on the standardization and precision of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies can be further advanced with the aid of artificial intelligence technology.