Objective To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia(MGH) by using complex network technology

so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas. Methods The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)

Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform(Wanfang)

Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP(VIP)

PubMed

the Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE)

Cochrane Library

and Web of Science and Ovid database(OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia"

"mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change"

"breast cystic hyperplasia "

etc. plus "acupuncture"

"moxibustion"

etc. Then

a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities

followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software. Results A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17

Qimen(LR14)

Sanyinjiao(SP6)

Taichong(LR3)

ST36

Jianjing(GB21)

Rugen(ST18)

Wuyi(ST15)

Neiguan(PC6)

Ashi-points

Fenglong(SP40)

Guanyuan(CV4)

Taixi(KI3)

Tianzong(SI11)

Ganshu(BL18)

and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides

the upper and lower parts

front and back parts of the body

respectively

and those of the outer and inner meridians

and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus. Conclusion The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used

followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest

back

upper and lower limbs

and the local acupoints.