The Effect of Acupressure Applied to LI4 on Labor Pain and Duration: Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Öz
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LI4 acupressure application on labor pain and duration.
Methods: The randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial study was conducted with 135 pregnant women (acupressure group (n=45), control group (n=45), and placebo group (n=45)). Acupressure was applied to the LI4 acupressure point on the right hand of each participant in the acupressure group from the beginning to the end of each contraction for a total of 20 times. The first 10 applications were made after cervical dilatation reached 4 cm, and the other 10 applications were made after cervical dilatation reached 7 cm. The participants in the placebo group were touched without applying pressure. No intervention was applied to the control group. Data were obtained with Personal Information Form, Labor and Delivery Follow-up Form and Visual Analog Scale
Results: When the pain levels of the acupressure, control, and placebo groups were compared after the LI4 acupressure intervention, the pain intensity of the acupressure group decreased statistically significantly compared to the control and placebo groups after both the first and second applications (p<0.001). The active phase duration of the acupressure group was statistically significantly shorter compared to the placebo and control groups (p<0.001).
Conclusions: As a result of our findings, it was determined that LI4 acupressure application may reduce labor pain and shorten the active phase of labor. The use of LI4 acupressure application can be recommended to healthcare professionals to reduce labor pain and shorten the active phase duration.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Acupressure, LI4 point, Labor Duration, Labor Pain
Destekleyen Kurum
We confirm that we have not received any funding support.
Etik Beyan
Ethics committee approval was obtained from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Ethics Committee (No: 09.2018.305)
Teşekkür
The authors would like to thank the pregnant women who were willing to participate in the study.
Kaynakça
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