Acupoints for Tension-Type Headache: A Literature Study Based on Data Mining Technology

Tension-type headache is one of the most common conditions of the nervous system, affecting more than 10% of the world population. Characterized by bilateral pressure or tightening pain, of mild to moderate intensity, it does not worsen with routine physical activities. According to the World Health Organization, between half and three-quarters of adults suffer from some type of headache annually, with tension-type headache being the most prevalent type. Although medications such as simple analgesics and anti-inflammatories are the main treatments, they can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, including ulcers and bleeding.

In addition, frequent use of these medications can lead to the development of medication-overuse headache.

Acupuncture emerges as a promising alternative in the treatment of tension-type headache. Systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library have already demonstrated that acupuncture is a valuable and safe tool for patients with frequent episodes of tension-type headache. However, a persistent challenge in clinical practice is the great variety of acupoints used for the same condition. Different acupuncturists select points based on their individual experiences, resulting in inconsistent treatments.

Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most effective acupoints for tension-type headache using data mining technology.

The researchers conducted a comprehensive search in four databases (three Chinese and one international) through September 2020, looking for clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of tension-type headache. Clinical studies with or without randomization and control were included, provided that they involved at least ten participants per group and used needle insertion. The data extracted included information on principal acupoints and clinical outcomes. For analysis, the researchers used a specialized data mining platform that employs advanced algorithms to identify patterns and associations between different point combinations.

This analysis allowed the calculation of support and confidence measures, indicating how often certain point combinations appear together in studies and the probability of their co-occurrence.

The study included 128 scientific articles containing 137 acupoint prescriptions, totaling 89 meridian points and 7 extraordinary points, used 763 times in total. The five most frequently used points were Fengchi, Baihui, Taiyang, Hegu, and Taichong. The analysis revealed that points located on Yang meridians were used much more frequently than those on Yin meridians (66.1% versus 17.8%), with the Gallbladder meridian being the most applied. Geographically, almost 60% of the points used were located on the head, face, and neck, while 31.7% were on the limbs.

Impressively, 78.2% of the points applied were specific points with special therapeutic properties according to traditional Chinese medicine. The analysis of point combinations showed that the Fengchi and Baihui pair was the central combination for treatment, appearing together in 40.9% of prescriptions.

The findings of this study have important implications for both patients and professionals. For patients suffering from tension-type headache, the results suggest that there is a relatively standardized combination of points that may be more effective. The recommended prescription includes five principal points: Fengchi (located at the base of the skull), Baihui (at the top of the head), Taiyang (at the temple), Hegu (between the thumb and index finger), and Taichong (on the foot). This combination follows traditional principles of acupuncture, using local points in the area of pain combined with distal points that have general analgesic properties.

For professionals, these findings offer a scientific basis for point selection, potentially improving the consistency and efficacy of treatments. The predominance of Yang points and the high use of specific points corroborates traditional theories about the treatment of headaches.

From the standpoint of mechanisms of action, the identified points make sense both from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine. The Fengchi and Baihui points may improve cerebral blood flow and reduce inflammation, while Hegu and Taichong are known for their systemic analgesic effects and their ability to modulate pain in the central nervous system. The Taiyang point, located directly in the area frequently affected by tension-type headache, provides targeted local treatment.

However, it is important to consider some limitations of this study. First, the included studies did not use uniform outcome measures or standardized parameters of acupuncture stimulation, which may make precise evaluation of the specific therapeutic effects of each point difficult. Second, due to the scarcity of high methodological quality studies, some self-controlled studies were included in the analysis, which may affect the objectivity of the results. In addition, although data mining is a powerful tool for identifying patterns, it does not replace high-quality controlled clinical trials.

The results provide a valuable reference for the selection and combination of acupoints in the treatment of tension-type headache. The prescription of the five identified principal points — Fengchi, Baihui, Taiyang, Hegu, and Taichong — may contribute to the standardization of acupuncture treatment, potentially improving both consistency and clinical efficacy. However, the researchers emphasize that these findings need to be validated through future clinical trials and research on mechanisms of action. For patients considering acupuncture for tension-type headache, this study offers encouraging evidence about the existence of well-grounded treatment protocols, although it is always recommended to consult qualified acupuncturists for individualized evaluation and treatment.