Effects of SP6 Acupressure on Reducing the Labor Pain during First Stage of Delivery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. in Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Anesthetists, Fellowship of Acupuncture, Farabi Hospital, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Biostatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction:Labor pain is one of the most severe types of pain women experience during their lives. Due to the negative effects of severe labor pain on mother and fetus, attempt to relieve mother’s pain is of considerable necessity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of applying SP6 acupressure on labor pain.
Methods: In a single-blinded randomized clinical trial study, 102 low- risk pregnant women, with gestational age of 38-42 weeks were enrolled at 17 Shahrivar Hospital in Mashhad between 2005-2006. They were randomly subjected to acupressure, palpation and ordinary care groups. For first group, acupressure was applied at the SP6 acupoint to both sides during each uterine contraction and when cervical dilation reached to 3-4cm. In the palpitation group, the SP6 acupoint was just touched. This technique was applied in both groups for a 30-minute period. In the routine care group, just the ordinary delivery care was given. Using Visual Analog Scale, the intensity of labor pain was measured immediately after intervention. Measurement was followed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after intervention. Intensity of labor pain was compared within groups using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests.
Results: The mean intensity of total labor pain had statistically significant difference between three groups (p=0.03). Also the mean intensity of labor pain at 90 and 120 minutes of after- intervention period in the SP6 acupressure group was significantly lower than the palpation and routine care groups (p=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the palpation and routine care group.
Conclusion: The study showed that SP6 acupressure decreases the intensity of first stage labor pain without maternal and fetal injuries of any nature and can be used as feasible, inexpensive, non-invasive method for labor pain relief.

Keywords

References

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