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Effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture on labour pain and duration
Author(s) -
Mucuk Salime,
Baser Muruvvet
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.12256
Subject(s) - electroacupuncture , acupuncture , medicine , pain relief , anesthesia , physical therapy , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation , stimulation , labor pain , pregnancy , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , genetics
Aims and objectives To evaluate the effects of noninvasive electroacupuncture at LI 4 or SP 6 acupuncture points on labour pain and duration. Background The management of labour pain is one of the main goals of obstetrical care. Acupuncture has been reported to be useful for reducing labour length and for pain relief during labour. Design This was an experimental study with a control group. Methods The study was conducted at the K ayseri M aternity H ospital in T urkey. The participants were in the active phase of labour and were divided into three groups. In the LI 4 group ( n = 40), bilateral LI 4 acupuncture points were stimulated using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation‐acupuncture pen. In the SP 6 group ( n = 40), the acupuncture points of both legs were stimulated. The same procedure that was performed for the LI 4 group was used for the SP 6 group. The control group ( n = 40) did not receive any stimulation. V isual A nalog S cale was used for the assessment of pain. Results Duration of labour from initiation of the intervention was 6·2 ± 6·0 hours in the LI 4 group, 7·2 ± 6·1 hours in the SP 6 group and 8·2 ± 9·9 hours in the control group. Pain scores in the LI 4 group were found as 8·0 (4–10) in the 30th minute after the intervention, while they were 9·0 (4–10) in the SP 6 group and 10·0 (2–10) in the control group. There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of labour duration and pain scores measured during contraction and between contractions. Conclusion Although they were not statistically significant, labour pain scores and labour duration were lower in the acupuncture groups, especially in the LI 4 group. Relevance to clinical practice Noninvasive electroacupuncture on the LI 4 acupuncture point could be used easily during labour for labour pain relief.