Application of an electrophysiological technique combined with auricular acupuncture in gynecological perioperative gastrointestinal dysfunction

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining low-frequency pulsed electrophysiological techniques with auricular acupuncture(a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western medicine)for patients experiencing perioperative gastrointestinal dysfunction(POGD)following gynecological surgery.Methods:Eighty patients undergoing gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group.Both groups received enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)care,with the experimental group receiving additional treatment combining electrophysiology and auricular acupuncture.Postoperative recovery indicators,including bowel sound recovery time,time to first exhaust and defecation,duration and incidence of abdominal pain and distension,nausea and vomiting,and specific gastrointestinal markers(HSP70,I-FABP,DAO,D-lactate),were monitored and compared between the two groups.Results:After treatment,the postoperative bowel sound recovery time,first postoperative exhaust time,duration of abdominal pain,and duration of abdominal distension were shorter in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The 6-hour and 48-hour integral values of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group.In the experimental group,60%of the patients were completely cured of gastrointestinal function after surgery,whereas only 32.5%of the patients in the control group were cured.The main symptom scores(abdominal pain,abdominal distension,nausea and vomiting)on the third postoperative day and the total symptom scores on the third postoperative day were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The values of HSP70,I-FABP,DAO,and D-lactate in the experimental group on postoperative day one were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of the Chinese and Western medicine ERAS programs of low-frequency pulse electrophysiology technology plus auricular acupuncture can accelerate local gastrointestinal blood circulation during the perioperative period of gynecology,promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function,promote anal exhaustion,and prevent the occurrence of postoperative abdominal pain and bloating.The combination of Chinese and Western medicine ERAS can increase gastrointestinal fluid secretion,increase gastrointestinal hormone and blood flow values,increase gastrointestinal electrophysiological detection values,and change the indicators of gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain and Gastrointestinal Motility Recovery After Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of auricular acupuncture on postoperative pain and gastrointestinal motility recovery after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer in our hospital from April 2020 to December 2021 were collected.Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria,76 patients were included in the retrospective analysis.Depending on whether they received auricular acupuncture or not,the patients were divided into two groups:46 patients in the experimental group(auricular acupuncture)and 30 patients in the control group.The differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results:The time to first flatus of the experimental group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(52.2±7.36 h versus 66.3±7.83 h;P<0.001).Similarly,the time to first defecation of the experimental group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(76.3±7.76 h versus 86.1±10.79 h;P<0.001).The time to first fluid intake of the auricular group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(90.4±8.92 h versus 107.3±9.66 h,P<0.001).Compared with the control group,the experimental group scored significantly lower on the visual analogue scale on postoperative days 2 and 3(P<0.001).Conclusion:Auricular acupuncture is an effective traditional Chinese medicine external treatment method.It can promote gastrointestinal motility recovery in patients after laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer and also reduce postoperative pain and discomfort.Furthermore,this therapy is easy to operate and well-accepted by patients.Therefore,it should be strongly promoted in clinical practice.

Regulative Effects of Auricular Acupuncture,Moxibustion and Chinese Herbs on Immunologic Function in the D-Galactose-induced Aging Mouse

Objective:To observe the regulative effect of auricular acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese herbs on immunologic function in the D-galactose-induced aging mouse and to probe the feasibility and possible mechanisms for delaying aging, so as to provide experimental basis for acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese herbs for delaying aging. Methods: Aging mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose, and treated by auricular acupuncture, auricular acupuncture plus moxibustion, and auricular acupuncture plus Chinese herbs respectively for 6 weeks and then serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6 contents and splenic lymphocyte transformation rate were compared among the groups. Results: Compared with the young group, the serum IL-2 level and the splenic lymphocyte transformation rate significantly decreased and the IL-6 level significantly increased in the aging mouse. After treatment by auricular acupuncture, auricular acupuncture plus Chinese herbs, especially auricular acupuncture plus moxibustion, the serum IL-2 level and the splenic lymphocyte transformation rate significantly increased, and the IL-6 level significantly decreased as compared with the model group. Conclusions: Combined application of auricular acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese herbs can improve the decline or dysfunction of immunological function in the aging organism to a certain extent.

STUDY ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT AND MECHANISMS OF AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE FOR TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN THE RABBIT

In the present study, fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentration and serum insulin concentration and changes of the ultramicrostructure of the pancreatic islet cells are used as the indexes to evaluate the therapeutic effect of auricular acupuncture in the treatment of experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) and to analyze its mechanisms in the rabbit. Thirty-two rabbits are randomly divided into control, model, acupuncture and medication groups with 8 cases being in each group. DM model is established by intravenous injection of 4% Alloxan (150 mg/kg). Otopoints used are low-resistance points of Yidan (MA-SC 6), Neifenmi (MA-IC 3), Jiaogan (MA-AH 7), Fei (MA-IC 1), Wei (MA-IC), Shen (MA-SC), etc.. In medication group, the animals are fed with glybenzcyclamide, (1.25 mg/kg/day). The treatment of both groups is given once daily, 20 sessions altogether. Results display that after 2 courses of treatment (20 sessions), in comparison with pre-treatment and model group, FBG contents in acupuncture and medication groups decreased significantly (P<0.01), while insulin contents of acupuncture and medication groups increased remarkably (P<0.05). No significant differences between acupuncture and medication groups in FBG and insulin contents. Accordingly, electron microscopic observation shows some improvements in partial organells as lysosome being fewer, reduction of the nucleolar swelling, etc. in both acupuncture group and medication group. It shows that restoration of the structure of islet β-cells of the pancreas, increase of the synthesis and release of insulin as well as the activity of insulin may contribute to the effect of auricular acupuncture in lowering blood glucose level in DM rabbits.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia

Vulvar leukoplakia refers to the chronic disease of degeneration and hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva with unbearable itching in women, seriously affecting the quality of life. The main treatment of western medicine for vulvar leukoplakia is the external use of glucocorticoids or estrogen, resulting to the high recurrence rate and side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of the overall concept and dialectical treatment with a variety of ways. Literature review in recent years found that the treatment of TCM decoction combined with external therapies, such as external fumigation, acupuncture and other treatments, or the combination of TCM decoction and external western medicine hormone ointment, can obtain good effects in vulvar leukoplakia. During the clinical practice, we found that the use of TCM internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting was highly effective with unique advantages in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia, providing the ideas guidance for clinicians.

EFFECT OF AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE ON THE LEARNING AND MEMORY AND bcl-2 EXPRESSION IN VASCULAR DEMENTIA RATS

Objective: To study the effect of auricular acupuncture on dysmnesia and the relationship between the memory improvement and bcl 2 protein expression in vascular dementia (VD) rats. Methods: Forty Wistar rats were randomized into control group, VD group, acupuncture+VD group and pseudo operation group, with 10 cases in each group. Rat VD model was established by using 4 vessel occlusion method. Otopoint "Nao" point and "Shen"(MA SC) were punctured, once daily continuously for 15 days. The rats’ memory capability was tested with Y maze method and bcl 2 expression of the brain tissues displayed by immunohistochemical method and measured using MIAS 2000 Image Analyzer. Results: Results showed that the scores of control group, VD group and acupuncture+VD group before operation were 5.68±1.29, 6.07±1.67 and 5.86±1.74 respectively, while following auricular acupuncture treatment, the scores of the 3 groups were 5.81±1.51, 18.06±2.68 and 8.31±1.85 separately, suggesting that the VD rat’s learning and memory abilities in acupuncture+VD group were raised apparently in comparison with those of VD group (P<0.01). In control, VD and acupuncture+VD group, bcl 2 immuno reaction positive neurons in CA 1 area of the hippocampus were 14.31±4.87, 28.67±5.63 and 65.74±8.19 respectively, displaying that the improvement of learning and memory abilities caused by auricular acupuncture treatment may be related to the up regulation of bcl 2 expression (an inhibitory gene of apoptosis). In comparison with control group, the loss of neurons in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal CA 1 area of VD group was more severe, while that of acupuncture group was markedly lighter. Conclusion: Auricular acupuncture of otopoint "Nao" point and "Shen"(MA SC) can raise the learning and memory abilities of VD rats, which may be realized by its inhibitory effect on apoptosis and the protection action on ischemic hippocampal neurons.

Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Hypertension by Combination of Modified Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction and Auricular Acupuncture

Objective:To observe the curative effect of Jiawei Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction(BBTD)in combination with auricular acupuncture in the treatment of primary hypertension with phlegm-dampness syndrome.Methods:120 patients with hypertension were randomly divided into a pure Western medicine treatment control group(referred to as the control group)and an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment group(referred to as the treatment group),with 60 cases in each group.The control group was given nifedipine sustained-release tablets orally;the treatment group:nifedipine sustained-release tablets were given on the basis of modified BBTD combined with auricular acupuncture.The treatment course duration of the two groups was 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,the two groups were evaluated for treatment efficacy and quality of life.Results:There is statistically significant difference in blood pressure lowering between the treatment group and the control group(P<0.05);the treatment group was better than the control group in symptoms improvement of the patients(P<0.05);in terms of the improvement in quality of life,the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion:Modified BBTD combined with auricular acupuncture method can reduce blood pressure and improve clinical symptoms in patients with primary hypertension with phlegm-dampness syndrome,and significantly improve the quality of life of patients.

Experience of professor JIA Chun-sheng in rapid analgesia by subcutaneous penetration needling of auricular acupuncture

To introduce the experience of professor JIA Chun-sheng in rapid analgesia and motor function rehabilitation by subcutaneous penetration needling of auricular acupuncture.Subcutaneous penetration needling of auricular acupuncture plays a role in rapid analgesia and motor function rehabilitation in treatment of pain in limbs and trunk and/or limb dysfunction caused by migraine,cervical spondylosis,acute lumbar sprain,soft tissue injury,scapulohumeral periarthritis,lumbar disc herniation,sciatica,stroke or cerebral trauma,and it is worthy of being widely promoted and applied clinically.

Auricular Acupuncture and Biomedical Research——A Promising Sino-Austrian Research Cooperation

Treatment by auricular acupuncture has a long history. Ear-acupoint research has been advancing step by step in China and also in Europe. Auricles are rich in nerves, therefore a close relationship with different functions of the human body has been proved by the research teams of the two main authors of this article from China and Austria. In recent years, great progress has been made in the research of regulating human body functions through electroacupuncture at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, which is part of auricular acupuncture therapy. It is well known that the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is the only peripheral pathway to the cerebral cortex. Studies of the Chinese team on hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy and depression have shown that the mechanism of auricular vagus nerve stimulation （VNS） may be comparable with cervical VNS in terms of pathways. Auricular VNS has a broad clinical application prospect.

Ninety cases of simple obesity treated with the combined therapy of penetration needling, flash-fire cupping method and auricular acupuncture

Objective: To observe the clinical effects on simple obesity treated with the combined therapy of penetration needling, flash-fire cupping method and auricular acupuncture.Methods: In 90 patients of simple obesity, the Bo’s abdominal acupuncture therapy was adopted. Taking Shénquè(神阙 CV 8), the points 2 cun directly below CV 8 and 2 cun directly above CV 8 as the landmarks, 3 cun bilateral to each of the above three points, and penetrated through to the conception vessel. Then the electroacupuncture apparatus was connected, with the disperse-dense wave for 30 min.After acupuncture, the glass cup of the middle size was used to stimulate the selected points with the flash-fire cupping method. The cupping stimulation stopped when the skin turned to be slightly red. One treatment was given each day and every other day after 5 days. The 10 treatments made one course. In the auricular acupuncture therapy, Jīdiǎn(饥点), Shénm6 n(神门TF4), NèiFēnmì(内分泌CO18) and S5 njiāo(三焦 CO17) were selected. The auricular acupuncture therapy was given once every two days and 10 treatments made one course. After 3 courses of treatment, the waist circumference, hip circumference,body weight and body mass index(BMI) were observed.Results: Compared to before treatment, after 3 courses of treatment, the waist circumference of patients was(92.3 ±2.4 vs 80.4 ±2.3) cm, hip circumference(110.6 士 2.3 vs 99.2 ±2.5) cm, body weight(74.2 ±3.1 vs 68.2 ±2.4) kg and BMI(29.8 士 3.1 vs 25.2 士 2.1), they were all reduced obviously, indicating the significant differences(all P<0.05). Seventy-nine patients lost three to five kilograms, accounting for 87.8%.Conclusion: The combined therapy of penetration needling at abdomen, flash-fire cupping method and auricular acupuncture achieves the significant therapeutic effects on simple obesity.

Effect of auricular acupuncture on oxygen consumption of boxing athletes

Boxing is an official sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the fast development of world-class high strength training and sport science has made a significant impact on scientific training. Boxing needs high cardio-respiratory function, speed, muscle strength, and anaerobic and intensive physical demands including weight control covering the grading of athlete＇s body weight and balancing physical ability and health. Sport training is important even for talented athletes. Weight cycling is a term used to describe rapid weight loss following self food limitation and/or dehydration. Both gradual （seasonal） reduction cycles are used and rapid （weekly） weight by athletes,

Auricular concha eletroacupuncture modulates lipid-lipoprotein metabolism in rats submitted to cold stress

Objective:To explore whether auricular concha eletroacupuncture(ACEA)is effective in regulating lipidlipoprotein metabolism in rats submitted to cold stress.Methods:Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in four groups(9 rats in each group),the rats in three groups of which were submitted to cold stress for fourteen days,the last one of which was a control group.After the cold stress process,in those three groups,the rats of one group were with no treatment(stress only),two were treated with either ACEA or auricular margin eletroacupuncture(AMEA)repeated for fourteen days.On the 14th day,all the rats were sacrificed after all experimental procedure for blood sampling.Blood glucose,triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels were tested by using the collected serum.Plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase(LCAT)was measured with ELISA kit.Results:ACEA down-regulated the TG level(P<0.05)and LDL-C level(P<0.05),and up-regulated HDL-C level(P<0.05)and LACT level(P<0.05).AMEA did not regulate the bio-markers.Conclusion:ACEA played an important role in regulating lipid-lipoprotein metabolism in rats submitted to cold stress.

TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC DISEASES MAINLY WITH OTOPOINT PELLET PRESSING THERAPY

In the present paper, the authors report a few of typical cases of alergic diseases including pollinosis, asthma, red eyes and swelling face and dermatitis treated with otopoints and some back shu points according to the symptoms. The result showed that the curative effect was satisfactory. It indicates that otopoints have a good antianaphylactic effect.

Current situation and analysis of clinical application of auricular acupoint sticking therapy

Objective： By the bibliometrical analysis and evaluation of acupuncture theses on auricular acupoint sticking from 2005 to 2014, the analysis was processed from multiple aspects including the types and numbers of diseases and effective rates of various diseases, in order to objectively reflect the general situation of clinical application of ear point embedding method in the recent years. Methods： By the bibliometrical analysis, the literature on auricular acupoint sticking in the recent ten years was counted up, analyzed and categorized. Results and Conclusion： Auricular acupoint sticking is used clinically for diseases of 26 systems, including 130 diseases. 74 diseases were singularly treated with auricular acupoint sticking, including the advantageous disease category like insomnia, constipation and obesity, and secondary advantageous disease category like dysmenorrhea, myopia, allergic rhinitis, post-operative pain and acne vulgaris.

Clinical Study on Auricular Acupoint Penetration Needling along the Skin for Treatment of A Variety of Pain Syndrome and Dysfunction

This paper is a summary of clinical studies on auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin for treatment of pain and dysfunction in recent 10 years.Auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin was used to observe rapid analgesic effects and clinical efficacy on cervical spondylopathy,periarthritis of shoulder,pain in waist and lower extremities,migraine,and other peripheral neuropathic pain,and stroke sequels,soft tissue injury,and so on.Self-control method was used in the studies at the first stage,and clinically randomized control trial methodwas used for systematic comparison with other therapies at the second stage.Results indicated that the auricular acupoint penetration needling along the skin had obviously clinical effects on cervical spondylopathy,periarthritis of shoulder,pain in waist and lower extremities,migraine,soft tissue injuries and stroke sequels,with a better rapid analgesic effect as compared with ear perpendicular needling method.

Treatment of 56 Cases of Women with Post-adolescent Acne by Auricular Point Sticking Method

Acne is a common disorder in adolescence. However, more and more patients are over 25 years old. This type of acne is recurrent, so it is called post-adolescence acne. The author treated 56 cases of women with post-adolescence ache by auricular point sticking method, and obtained excellent results. It is reported as follows.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for functional dyspepsia:A randomized controlled trial

Objectives:To observe the clinical long-term therapeutic effect on functional dyspepsia(FD) in the comparative study of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS) with transcutaneous auricular none-vagus nerve stimulation(tnVNS).Methods:A total of 90 FD patients were randomized into a taVNS group and a tnVNS group,45 cases in each one.The patients in both the taNVS group and the tnVNS group were treated 5 times a week,30 min each time,for 4 weeks totally.Before treatment,after treatment and in follow-up visit,overall symptom points,functional dyspepsia-related quality of life questionnaire(FDQOL),Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),Hamilton depression scale(HAMD) and self-rating depression scale(SDS) were adopted to evaluate the severity of the symptoms and observe the clinical therapeutic effect of patients.Results:Compared with the scores before treatment,the overall symptom points,FDDQL,HAMA,HAMD and SDS at each time point after treatment were all lower in the patients of the taVNS group.The scores of FDDQL after treatment were almost all higher than that before treatment in the self-comparison of each group.All of the above differences were significant statistically(all P <0.05).Compared with the tnVNS group,the overall symptom points,FDDQL, HAMA,HAMD and SDS at each time point after treatment were all lower in the taVNS group and the score of FDDQL was higher,indicating the statistical differences(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is applicable for the treatment of functional dyspepsia.Compared with the control group,taVNS obtains a better long-term effect.

Effects of acupuncture on the relationship between cerebral hemodynamics and arterial blood pressure in patients with hypertension

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an auricular acupuncture intervention on the relationship between changes in oxyhemoglobin concentration(Δ[O2Hb])and arterial blood pressure(ABP).The cerebral oxygenation signals in the bilateral prefrontal cortex(PFC),sensorimotor cortex(SMC),and temporal lobe cortex(TLC)of 15 patients with hypertension were measured by a 24-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)device before(State_R)and after(State_AT)the auricular acupuncture intervention.Coupling strength was used to quantitatively evaluate the strength of the couplings between ABP andΔ[O2Hb]in low-frequency oscillations(LF,0.07–0.2 Hz)and very-low-frequency oscillations(VLF,0.02–0.07 Hz).Results showed that the changes in wavelet amplitudes in the LF and VLF intervals did not exhibit significant differences after auricular acupuncture.The coupling strength from ABP toΔ[O2Hb]was significantly lower in the LF range after auricular acupuncture in the bilateral PFC,SMC,and TLC(p<0.0083).Additionally,the coupling strength from ABP toΔ[O2Hb]in the VLF range was significantly lower in the bilateral PFC in State_AT than in State_R(p<0.0083).These results indicated that fNIRS together with ABP can effectively evaluate cerebral hemodynamic responses to interventions and is therefore capable of guiding more individualized acupuncture strategies.The auricular acupuncture intervention improved hemodynamic responses in patients suffering from hypertension.

Treatment of tinnitus with electrical stimulation on acupoint in the distribution area of ear vagus nerve combining with sound masking: randomized controlled trial

Objective To observe the efficacy of treating tinnitus with electrical stimulation on acupoint in the distribution area of ear vagus nerve by combining with sound masking. Methods Sixty-three volunteers suffering from tinnitus were randomly divided into a treatment group （32 cases） and a control group （31 cases） according to envelope method. The treatment group was given the treatment with electrical stimulation on acupoint in the distribution area of ear vagus nerve by combining with sound masking while the control group was given the treatment by taking flunarizine hydrochloride capsules and oryzanol orally. The treatment for both groups lasted for eight weeks. The efficacy was evaluated before treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks following the treatment respectively according to ＂Tinnitus Handicap Inventory＂ and ＂Tinnitus Dysphoria Inventory＂. Results It was revealed from the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory that the differences were not statistically significant by comparing the two groups after treatment for 4 weeks （χ2=1.981, P=0.16）; After 8 weeks of the treatment, patients with mild tinnitus and severe tinnitus were significantly improved in the treatment group compared with those before treatment （χ2=25.01, P〈0.O01） while the difference in the control group was not statistically significant before and after treatment （χ2=2.986, P=0.084）, and the difference of the ratio of patients with mild tinnitus in the two groups was statistically significant （χ2=9.315, P=0.002）. It was revealed from the Tinnitus Dysphoria Inventory that dysphoria of patients in the treatment group was more alleviated than that in the control group after treatment for 4 weeks （χ2=4.661, P=0.03）; After 8 weeks of the treatment, the patients with mild dysphoria and severe dysphoria were significantly improved in the two groups （χ2=25.397, P〈O.001 and χ2=7.828, P=O.O05, respectively）, and the efficacy in the treatment group was improved more significantly than that in the control group （χ2=5.857, P=0.016）. It was shown from the comprehensive efficacy that after 8 weeks of treatment, the effective rates of the two groups were 90.63% （29/32） and 80.65% （25/31） respectively, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant （χ2=0.595, P=0.44）. Conclusion Handicap and dysphoria of tinnitus can be improved significantly by treating with electrical stimulation on acupoint in the distribution area of ear vagus nerve and sound masking, and the efficacy was superior to that of western medicines.

耳穴疗法治疗原发性失眠的现代文献研究

Objective By sorting and analyzing pertinent modern studies targeting auricular point therapy treating primary insomnia(PI),to summarize the point selection rules and clinical efficacy of using auricular points alone or combining it with other therapies in treating PI.Methods A search on China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database(Wanfang),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),PubMed,Springer and Ovid were conducted from January 1,1998 till January 31,2020.Point selection,diagnostic criteria and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)in the eligible studies were analyzed and summarized.Results The difference in PSQI before and after using auricular point therapy alone was more significant than that of using Chinese medication alone(P<0.05),but less significant than that of combining auricular point therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese therapeutic massage(tuina)(P<0.05).In the included studies,Shenmen(TF_(4))was the most commonly used(370 times),followed by Heart(CO_(15)),which was 344 times,and Subcortex(AT_(4)),which was 325 times.In terms of auricular points distribution,points in the auricular concha were the most commonly used(1500 times),followed by those in the antitragus(474 times)and triangular fossa(387 times).Correlation analysis showed that Shenmen(TF_(4))and Liver(CO_(12)),Sympathetic(AH6a)and Heart(CO_(15))were used together more often,followed by Shenmen(TF_(4)),Liver(CO_(12)),Spleen(CO_(13)),Kidney(CO_(10))and Subcortex(AT_(4)),and then Shenmen(TF_(4)),Liver(CO_(12)),Sympathetic(AH6a),Subcortex(AT_(4))and Heart(CO_(15)).Cluster analysis showed that the auricular points used for PI can be divided into 6 clusters in 2 major groups.One group was Heart(CO_(15)),Subcortex(AT_(4)),Shenmen(TF_(4)),Sympathetic(AH6a),Spleen(CO_(13)),Kidney(CO_(10)),Liver(CO_(12))and Endocrine(CO_(18));the other was Occiput(AT3),Stomach(CO_(4)),Pancrease-gallbladder(CO_(11)),Chuiqian(LO_(4)),Small Intestine(CO_(6)),Central Rim(AT_(2,3,4i))and Sanjiao(CO_(17)).In terms of patterns in traditional Chinese medicine,the pattern of dual deficiency of heart and spleen accounted for the largest proportion in the studies of using auricular points alone or combining it with other treatments to treatment PI,and then it was the pattern of liver depression transforming into fire.Conclusion In treatment of PI with auricular points alone or combo therapy involving auricular points,Shenmen(TF_(4))was commonly used,and the commonly used point group consisted of Shenmen(TF_(4)),Liver(CO_(12)),Sympathetic(AH_(6a))and Heart(CO_(15)).Auricular point therapy can be taken as a complementary therapy in treating PI.