Analysis of Acupuncture Selection Rules for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Diseases Treated by Acupuncture Based on Data Mining

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are severe autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, characterized by recurrent attacks and high disability rates. Acupuncture has been increasingly used as an adjunct therapy, but systematic analyses of acupoint selection patterns remain scarce. This study aims to explore the rules of acupoint selection in acupuncture treatment for NMOSD using data mining techniques. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to extract treatment methods and acupoint data, followed by database construction and analysis using cluster analysis and association rule mining. A total of 44 studies were included, encompassing 49 acupuncture prescriptions and 108 acupoints (excluding auricular and empirical points), with a total application frequency of 803. The most frequently used acupoints were ST36, SP6, LI4, BL1, LI11, LR3, GB20, BL23, GB34, and GV20, primarily distributed along the Bladder Meridian, Governing Vessel, and Stomach Meridian. Association rule analysis (confidence ≥90%, support ≥20%) identified 44 significant rules, with "ST36 → SP6" showing the highest support (59.52%), and 25 rules achieving 100% confidence. Cluster analysis grouped acupoints into five functional clusters. These findings suggest that acupuncture treatment for NMOSD follows specific selection patterns, emphasizing syndrome differentiation and strategic acupoint combinations to enhance therapeutic efficacy.