Objective To analyze the optimum stimulating parameters and acupoint combination law of electroacupuncture(EA) treatment of post-stroke sequelae(PSS) through the network visual data mining and analysis of the literature

so as to provide reference for clinical application. Methods The related articles of acupuncture treatment of PSS patients published from January 1

2005 to December 31

2021 were collected from databases of CNKI

Wanfang

Weipu(VIP)

SinoMed

CHAOXING

DUXIU

PubMed

Ovid

Embase and Cochrane Library. After the articles were screened according to our formulated inclusion and exclusion criteria

a “Clinical Literature Database of EA Treatment of PSS” was established. The SPSS Modeler14.1 software was used for modeling(by using the parameters of EA

types of apoplexy sequelae

names of acupoints

methods of acupoint matching

acupoint-attributed meridians

etc.) and association rule analysis

and the Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used for data network visualization analysis. Results A total of 354 articles were collected

including 13 types of PSS

among which the hemi-plegia accounts for the highest proportion(51.13%)

followed by depression(17.51%) and dysphagia(14.97%). A total of 228 acupoints are used

with a total frequency-time of 1 690. Among the 8 PSS(hemiplegia

depression

dysphagia

cognitive impairment

urinary incontinence

urinary retention

speech disorders

constipation) with the frequency of application of acupoints greater than or equal to 3

275 articles are involved

with the frequency of dense wave being the highest(123 times)

followed by continuous waves(95 times). The stimulation frequency of EA appears 275 times

with the low frequency being the highest(188 times). For hemiplegia type of PSS

low frequency and continuous waves or dense waves are mostly used

and the high correlation acupoint groups are Zusanli(ST36)/Hegu(LI4)

LI4/Quchi(LI11) and ST36/LI11. For depression

low frequency and dense waves are mostly used

and the high correlation acupoint groups are Baihui(GV20)/Yintang(EX-HN3)

GV20/Shenting(GV24) and GV20/Neiguan(PC6). For swallowing disorder

the mostly used stimulation parameter is low frequency

and the high correlation acupoint groups are Lianquan(CV23)/ST36/Fenglong(ST40)

Tongli(HT5)/Yifeng(TE17)/PC6/ST40

and TE17/HT5/PC6/LI4. Conclusion EA therapy is frequently used in the treatment of PSS

for which ST36

LI4 and LI11 are most frequently used in the treatment of hemiplegia

with the stimulation parameters being low-frequency and continuous waves or dense waves. For depression

GV20

EX-HN3

GV24 and PC6 are used

with the stimulation parameters being low frequency and dense waves. For dysphagia

CV23

HT5

TE17

PC6

ST36

ST40 and LI4 are employed

with low frequency electrical stimulation.