Acupoints_Sciatica_dataset

This dataset provides raw clinical data on acupuncture prescriptions used in real-world practice for the treatment of sciatica. The dataset comprises two sheets (Acupoints and Meridians) extracted from the original Raw_data.xlsx

The data is structured as a binary matrix.
- Rows: Each row represents a single acupuncture prescription (formula) for a unique patient. There are 611 independent prescriptions in total.
- Columns: Each column represents a unique acupoint/meridian. Acupoint/meridian nomenclature is standardized according to WHO guidelines
Binary coding where 1 indicates the presence of the acupoint/meridian in the formula, and 0 indicates its absence.

Data Collection Methods:Data were collected through a cross-sectional observational study conducted between January and June 2024 across three major traditional medicine hospitals in Southern Vietnam. The sampling frame included patients with a principal diagnosis of sciatica who received acupuncture specifically for this condition. All routine clinical data were strictly de-identified prior to analysis.

Value of the Data: This binary matrix allows independent researchers to replicate and validate multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering. The dataset serves as an ideal input for advanced data mining algorithms, including network analysis and association rule mining, to further uncover latent acupoint selection patterns in traditional medicine.