Exploration of clinical regularities in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for cancer pain

Objective: To review acupuncture-moxibustion literature of year 1954-2009 and explore the regularities in point selection and therapeutic methods for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cancer pain. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was made by a method of metrological analysis according to the data from China Modern Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Databank. Results: Zusanli (ST 36), Ashi point and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were most frequently used. Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were optimal points combination. Acupuncture and the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion were the major treatments. It proposed that Zusanli (ST 36), Ashi point and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can be used as a basic prescription for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment for cancer pain, and acupoints selection according to the syndrome may be added. Conclusion: The combination of acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the therapeutic effect on cancer pain. © 2011 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.