Objective To explore the rule of acupoint combination in acupuncture treatment of hiccups.Methods Original research articles on acupuncture treatment of hiccup were collected from databases of CNKI

Wanfang

VIP

and Pubmed by using key words of"hiccup"

"acupuncture""diaphragmatic spasm""body acupuncture""filiform needle"and"electroacupuncture". According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria

the collected data were extracted to establish an acupuncture prescription database for hiccup. Then

the regularities of acupoint combinations for hiccup were analyzed by using Gephi complex network analysis software.Results A total of 606 articles containing 634 acupoint prescriptions for acupuncture treatment of hiccups were brought into analysis. There were 133 single-acupoint prescriptions(20.98%)

which was significantly lower than the multi-acupoint prescription(501

accounting for 79.02%).There were mainly acupoints in multi-acupoint prescriptions

and distal-proximal acupoint combination method were often used as the basis of acupoint selection(326

accounting for 65.07%). A total of 163 acupoints were involved

with a total frequency of 2 969. Among them

Neiguan(PC6)was used most frequently(400 times

accounting for 13.47%)

followed by Zusanli(ST36)

Zhongwan(CV12)

Danzhong(CV17)

and Taichong(LR3). The acupoints of the Conceptional Vessel(666 times

accounting for 22.43%)

and Stomach Meridian

Pericardium Meridian and Liver Meridian were chiefly used. There were 67 specific acupoints

the frequency of use was 2 555 times(accounting for 86.05% of the total frequency)

among which the frequency of the five Shu-points was the highest(875 times

accounting for 29.47% of the total frequency)

and followed by eight confluence points.Conclusion The core acupoints are PC6

ST36

CV12

etc.and the distal-proximal acupoint combination method found in this study are often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of hiccup.