Category: Pregnancy

A study on acupuncture for pain in pregnancy undertaken at a New Zealand hospital, shows a clinically meaningful symptom reduction in women with lower back and pelvic pain. The observational study looked at data on 81 women with lumbopelvic pain, who received traditional Chinese acupuncture weekly. In all, 89% of patients reported a clinically meaningful symptom reduction following treatment.

The authors conclude that this study supports existing clinical trial results indicating the benefits of acupuncture in reducing symptoms. The nature and extent of adverse events were consistent with those found in reviews whose authors have concluded that acupuncture in pregnancy is safe overall. Tailoring the treatment to the concerns of pregnancy may help clinicians feel more confident in acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment.

(Treating Pain in Pregnancy with Acupuncture: Observational Study Results from a Free Clinic in New Zealand. Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies, February 2018.)

Acupressure at the point sanyinjiao or SP-6, just above the ankle, decreases maternal anxiety and analgesic consumption during labour, Iranian researchers have found. A total of 131 women in labour at Maryam Hospital, Tehran were randomly allocated to receive acupressure, touch applied as a control, or routine care. Within 30 minutes of starting the intervention, mean anxiety in the acupressure group was significantly less than both control groups, and it remained so 30 minutes after finishing the intervention. Sedative and analgesic consumption was also significantly lower in the acupressure group compared with the control groups.

The researchers conclude that acupressure at SP-6 could be considered an alternative method to decrease maternal anxiety and use of sedative and analgesics, especially pethidine.

(The Effect of Acupressure at Spleen 6 Acupuncture Point on the Anxiety Level and Sedative and Analgesics Consumption of Women during Labor: A Randomized Single-blind Clinical Trial. Iranian Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Research, March – April 2018.)

Researchers in Australia studying acupuncture for depression in pregnancy, report that it could be a valuable and supportive intervention. In a small study, eight women took part in a pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial and were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. They reported that conventional treatments had been inadequate or unsatisfactory, or were now unacceptable in pregnancy. They experienced not only symptom relief, but also described benefits from acupuncture which enabled them to better manage their lives and the changes brought about by pregnancy.
(Women’s experiences of having depression during pregnancy & receiving acupuncture treatment – A qualitative study. Women & Birth – Journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 15 November 2017.)

An integrative medicine programme which includes acupressure can significantly reduce epidural use and caesarean section rates, when added to standard antenatal care. Doctors in Australia randomised 176 first-time mothers attending two public hospitals in Sydney, to either standard care, or standard care plus a two-day antenatal education programme in six evidence-based complementary medical techniques (acupressure, relaxation, breathing, yoga, massage and partner support).

Whereas epidural use in the standard care group was 69%, that in the intervention group was significantly lower at 24%. The intervention group was also observed to have lower rates of caesarean section, medical or surgical assistance in labour, length of second stage, perineal trauma, and need for resuscitation of the newborn.

(Complementary therapies for labour and birth study: a randomised controlled trial of antenatal integrative medicine for pain management in labour. BMJ Open, 1 November 2016.)

A UK feasibility study suggests that acupuncture adds benefit to standard care for back pain in pregnancy. The randomised trial allocated 125 women with pregnancy-related back pain, to one of three treatment groups: standard care alone (advice plus physiotherapy); standard care plus true acupuncture; standard care plus sham acupuncture. Participants received between six and eight treatment sessions over a six week period. The researchers found pregnant women were keen to take part, and they and their midwives had few concerns about acupuncture.

Patient-reported outcome measures of pain, function and quality of life, favoured the addition of true acupuncture to standard care. An economic analysis showed that although the addition of acupuncture lead to a higher total cost of care, it also achieved higher quality-adjusted life-years gains. There was no evidence of serious adverse events for mothers, birth or neonatal outcomes. The researchers conclude that a future, large randomised controlled trial is desirable and feasible, and would be welcomed by pregnant women and clinicians.

(Evaluating Acupuncture and Standard Care for Pregnant Women with Back Pain: a feasibility study and pilot randomised trial. Health Technology Assessment, April 2016.)