Objective To explore the regularity and characteristics of clinical application of scalp acupuncture therapy for different types of clinical conditions so as to provide a reference for clinical practice.Methods In the present study

"head acupuncture"and"scalp acupuncture"were used as the keywords to search papers and academic dissertations having definite standards for diagnosis and therapeutic effect assessment and published in journals and academic conferences collected in database China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI)from January 1 of 1959 to December 31 of 2016

followed by constructing a database after sorting

screening

recording

extracting

and statistical analysis by using a computer.Then

the data mining was conducted for summarizing the indications of disease categories

involved medical departments

needle-insertion methods

needle manipulation techniques

academic schools

and clinical efficacy of scalp acupuncture therapy.Results As a result

a total of 587 papers met our including criteria were analyzed.The scalp acupuncture therapy was widely employed in the treatment of various clinical conditions of different departments

with the application frequency being the internal medicine(438 times)

surgery(75 times)

pediatrics(44 times)

etc.Of the indicated 102 types of clinical problems

55 belong to the internal medicine

constituting of 53.92%

particularly the cerebral apoplexy and its sequelae with the top application frequency being 102 and 115 times

respectively.In terms of needle inserting methods mentioned in partial papers(most papers do not mention)

fingernail-pressing-aided needle insertion

needle-twirling insertion

fingers-squeezed-needle insertion

particularly the swiftly rotating needle insertion and rapid needle-propelling insertion were most commonly used.Regarding the needle manipulation method

rapid needle twirling technique was frequently employed

usually at a frequency of approximately 200 times per min.In regard to the academic schools

JIAO Shun-fa's scalp acupuncture system was most frequently used

followed by the international standardized scalp acupuncture.The therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture is effective in the treatment of different conditions of various departments

especially those of the dermatology and gynecology.Conclusion Scalp acupuncture has superiority in the treatment disorders of the internal medicine and has been demonstrated to have positive effects for many types of problems

particularly for apoplexy and its sequelae.Rapid needle-propelling insertion and rapid needle-twirling technique are often employed.