Acupuncture for Major Depressive Disorder: A Data Mining-Based Literature Study

Introduction: Acupuncture has a long history of treating major depressive disorder (MDD), yet the acupoint selection for MDD varies greatly. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and principles of acupuncture for MDD by analyzing clinical trials using data mining techniques. Methods: Clinical trials of acupuncture for MDD were retrieved and data extracted; association rule mining, network analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to determine correlations between acupoints. Results: GV20, LR3, PC6, SP6, and GV29 were most frequently used; Yang meridian acupoints were used more often than Yin, with the Governor Vessel most applied; specific acupoints comprised 69.39% (most commonly five-shu points); acupoint use frequency was highest in the lower limbs, while the head/face/neck had the most distinct acupoints used; GV29 combined with GV20 was the most used pair; core acupoints were GV20, PC6, and SP36; five acupoint groups were identified by clustering. Manual acupuncture was most used; treatment frequency was commonly 7 times/week and duration 42 days. Discussion: Findings summarize current acupoint use, properties, combinations, methods, frequency, and duration, offering guidance for clinical treatment of MDD; further clinical/experimental studies are needed.