Objective To explore the regularities and features of compound reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture filiform needles in the treatment of clinical conditions or diseases by using data mining technique

so as to guide clinical practice.Methods At first

the data base about the reinforcing-reducing manipulation(CRRM)of filiform needles for different clinical problems was established by collection

sorting

screening

recording

collation

data extraction of the related original papers published in journals and conferences and related academic dissertations from Jan.1of 1950 to Jan.31 of 2015by using key words of"acupuncture""moxibustion""needling""filiform needle"

and according to the included and excluded standards.Results A total of 130 835 papers met the included standards were collected.Outcomes of data mining in the present study showed that 1)the CRRM is most frequently applied in the internal medicine

followed by surgery

gynecology

ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology

dermatology

and pediatrics

successively

mostly for lumbago and leg pain;2)the heat-producing needling manipulation is the most frequently applied technique

followed by cool-producing needling

dragon-tiger warring

yang occluding in yin

yin occluding in yangtechniques;3)the highest effective rate of CRRM is for problems of the pediatrics

followed by those of the internal medicine

surgery

ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology

dermatology

and gynecology;4)the most frequently used acupoints are Zusanli(ST 36)

then Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

stimulated by heat-producing needling

and Zusanli(ST 36)

then Quchi(LI 11)

stimulated by cool-producing needling

and Huantiao(GB 30)

stimulated by dragon-tiger warring needling.Conclusion The compound reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture is most frequently applied to problems in the internal medicine

predominately for lumbago and leg pain

and the best effectiveness is for pediatric conditions.The heat-producing needling and cool-producing needling are most frequently applied at Zusanli(ST 36)and the dragon-tiger warring manipulation is most frequently applied at Huantiao(GB 30).