Objective To analyze the compatibility regularities of acupoints and the application characteristics of needling-moxibustion methods in the treatment of ankle sprain by using complex network technology

so as to provide the basis and treatment ideas.Methods The clinical research articles on acupuncture treatment of ankle joint sprain published from November 2011 to November 2021 were retrieved from databases of CNKI

Wanfang Data knowledge service platform

VIP information Chinese journal service platform and PubMed by using key words of “acupuncture”“moxibustion” “acupuncture and moxibustion” “ankle injury” “ankle sprain” “injured ankle” and “syndesmotic injuries”. After screening these articles according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria

a database of acupuncture treatment of ankle sprain was established. Then

analysis on the occurrence frequency of acupoints and their related meridians

and methods of needling manipulation

and the association rule analysis(quantitative analysis) about the closeness between acupoints

and the degree of support and confidence coefficient were conducted for acquiring the acupoint combinations with higher correlation in the compatibility using Apriori algorithm after modeling(with IBM SPSS Modeler18.0 software). Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to make complex network analysis

for which “k-core hierarchical analysis” and “community analysis” were used as the methods to analyze the network structure of acupoints

and the confidence value was used as the index to measure the importance of acupoints. Results A total of 201 articles meeting the criteria were collected

including 196 articles in Chinese and 5 in English. A total of 236 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted

involving 61 acupoints

with a total frequency of occurrence being 846. The top 10 acupoints were Ashi point

Kunlun(BL60)

Jiexi(ST41)

Qiuxu(GB40)

Shenmai(BL62)

Yanglingquan(GB34)

Taixi(KI3)

Zhaohai(KI6)

Xuanzhong(GB39) and Shangqiu(SP5)

with the occurrence frequency being 109

79

70

68

63

59

53

52

37 and 34

respectively. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the top 5 meridians were Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-shaoyang

Bladder Meridian of Foot-taiyang

Kidney Meridian of Foot-shaoyin

Stomach Meridian of Foot-yangming and Spleen Meridian of Foot-taiyin

with the frequency being 181

153

116

105 and 53

respectively. Complex network analysis displayed that after “k-core hierarchical analysis” and “Community division”

two communities were reserved

mainly involving 15 core acupoints such as Ahshi point

GB40

ST14

BL62

GB34

KI6

BL60

KI3

GB39

Zusanli(ST36)

SP5; Taichong(LR3)

Zulinqi(GB41)

Sanyinjiao(SP6) and Rangu(KI2). The results of association rule analysis showed that the most relevant acupoint combination is “BL60-ST41”(support degree 34.83%)

followed by “BL60-KI3”(support degree 26.37%)

reflecting the principle of selection of local acupoint for ankle sprain. The therapeutic methods are filiform needle acupuncture

and the reducing technique and uniform reinforcing and reducing manipulation are the most commonly used approaches

but the reinforcing method is rarely used. Conclusion In the treatment of ankle sprain

local acupoints and Ashi points are mainly used

in combination with reducing or uniform reinforcing and reducing manipulations

as well as the method of needling and moxibustion

which provides a good reference for clinical practice.