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The effects of acupuncture during labour on nulliparous women: A randomised controlled trial
Author(s) -
HANTOUSHZADEH Sedigheh,
ALHUSSEINI Navid,
LEBASCHI Amir Hussein
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2006.00674.x
Subject(s) - acupuncture , medicine , visual analogue scale , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , adverse effect , oxytocin , anesthesia , obstetrics , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Background: Acupuncture is as an ancient system of diagnosis and treatment. It is regarded as a complementary tool for pain management. Aims: To assess the effects of acupuncture on nulliparous women during labour with respect to pain, labour duration and maternal acceptability. Methods: One hundred and forty‐four healthy nulliparous women in active phase were randomised into the study and control group, receiving real and minimal acupuncture, respectively. Visual analogue scale was used to assess pain. Objectives were to evaluate acupuncture effect on pain and labour duration and patients’ willingness to receive acupuncture for subsequent pregnancies. Results: Visual analogue scale pain score in the study group was lower after two hours. Active phase duration and the oxytocin units administered were lower in the study group. Study group patients had greater willingness to receive acupuncture again. No adverse effects were detected. Conclusions: Acupuncture could reduce pain experience, active phase duration and oxytocin units. Patients were satisfied and no adverse effects were noted.