To explore the clinical acupoint selection rules of acupoint therapy for hyperthyroidism based on data mining technology, so as to provide references for its clinical application.

Relevant literature on acupoint therapy for hyperthyroidism was retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, PubMed and Web of Science, with the retrieval time ranging from the establishment of each database to January 31, 2025. An Excel database was established to collect acupoint prescriptions. Statistical analyses were performed on literature types, syndrome differentiation, intervention methods, as well as the frequency, distribution, meridian tropism and categories of specific acupoints. SPSS Modeler 18.0 and SPSS Statistics 21.0 were used for association rule analysis and cluster analysis.

A total of 52 eligible literatures were included, involving 63 prescriptions and 78 acupoints, with a total usage frequency of 520 times. The high-frequency acupoints for hyperthyroidism treatment were Neiguan (PC6, 7.69%), Sanyinjiao (SP6, 7.31%) and Zusanli (ST36, 7.12%). The top five meridians in terms of total usage frequency were the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (66 times, 12.69%), the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin (66 times, 12.69%), the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang (62 times, 11.92%), the Conception Vessel (43 times, 8.27%) and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (42 times, 8.08%). Most acupoints were distributed in the lower extremities, head, neck and upper extremities. Among the 78 acupoints, 61 were specific acupoints, with a total frequency of 365 times, accounting for 70.2% (365/520) of the total. The top three specific acupoints were Five-Shu points, Yuan-source points and Eight Confluent Points. With the minimum support set at 30% and minimum confidence at 80%, 22 acupoint combinations were obtained via association rule analysis, among which the combination of Zusanli (ST36)-Sanyinjiao (SP6)-Neiguan (PC6) showed the strongest correlation. When the dendrogram scale was set at 20, four valid clusters were identified through cluster analysis: Sanyinjiao (SP6) -Zusanli (ST36) -Neiguan (PC6)-Ashi points-Jianshi (PC5), Dazhui (GV14)-Fengchi (GB20), Hegu (LI4)-Shuitu (ST10)-Tiantu (CV22), and Shenmen (HT7)-Taichong (LR3)-Taixi (KI3)-Fuliu (KI7)-Ganshu (BL18).

Acupoint therapy for hyperthyroidism mainly adopts acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. Both distal and local acupoints are commonly selected with priority given to specific acupoints, following the principle of upper-lower acupoint matching. The core acupoint combination is Neiguan (PC6)-Sanyinjiao (SP6)-Zusanli (ST36).