Objective: To investigate the effect characteristics and mechanism of acupuncture in autonomic nerve regulation through a comprehensive literature analysis.
Methods: CNKI and PubMed databases were searched for the studies on acupuncture in autonomic nerve regulation in the past 30 years, and Excel was used to perform a descriptive analysis of research subjects, intervention methods, intervention sites (acupoint selection), intervention parameters, and effect mechanism of acupuncture.
Results: A total of 202 studies were included, among which there were 51 clinical studies, mostly on the nervous system and the circulatory system; Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), Fengchi (GB20), and Hegu (LI4) were the most frequently used acupoints, manual acupuncture was the most common intervention method, most of the acupoints selected were in the extremities, head, face, and neck, and heart rate variability was the main parameter for evaluation. Among the 151 animal experimental studies, there were many studies on the digestive system and the circulatory system; "Zusanli" (ST36), "Neiguan" (PC6), and "Shenmen" (HT7) were the most frequently used acupoints, electroacupuncture was the most common intervention method, most of the acupoints selected were in the extremities, and the main effect mechanism was to regulate the central vagus nerve activity and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP).
Conclusion: Acupuncture has a good effect on autonomic nerve regulation. The acupoints in extremities, head, and face are mainly used in studies. The main action pathways are central vagus nerve activity and CAP, as demonstrated in the animal experiments. Acupuncture has specific effect characteristics, which are closely associated with the acupoints, methods, and parameters of stimulation.
目的：通过分析整理针灸调节自主神经相关研究的文献，总结其效应特点和途径。方法：收集中国知网(CNKI)、Pubmed数据库中近30年针灸调节自主神经研究的文献，利用Excel建立数据库对其研究对象、干预方法、干预部位(取穴)、干预参数、效应机制等进行描述性分析。结果：共计纳入202篇文献，其中临床研究51篇，以神经系统和循环系统的研究较多，使用频次最高的穴位为内关、足三里、风池、合谷，干预手法以手针居多，取穴部位以四肢部和头面颈项部为主，评价机制以心率变异性为主。动物实验研究151篇，以消化系统和循环系统的研究较多，使用频次最高的穴位是“足三里”“内关”“神门”，干预方法多为电针，取穴部位同样多在四肢部，其效应途径主要为迷走神经中枢效应和外周胆碱能效应。结论：针灸具有良好的调节自主神经效应，研究中以四肢和头面部穴为主，效应途经主要涉及动物实验，以迷走神经中枢效应和外周胆碱能通路为主，其效应特点具有特异性，主要与刺激的穴位、方式、参数有密切关系。.
Keywords: Action pathway; Acupuncture and moxibustion; Autonomic nerve; Effect characteristics.