Meta-analysis of the effect of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery

Abstract Background Acupressure is increasing in popularity as an alternative treatment in obstetrics and gynecology. Objectives To summarize and assess evidence regarding the effects of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery. Search strategy Four major databases and Google Scholar we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2016-10, Vol.135 (1), p.5-10
Main Authors: Makvandi, Somayeh, Mirzaiinajmabadi, Khadigeh, Sadeghi, Ramin, Mahdavian, Mitra, Karimi, Leila
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acupressure
Acupressure - methods
Cesarean delivery
Cesarean Section - statistics & numerical data
Childbirth
Female
First stage of labor
Humans
Labor duration
Labor Stage, First
Labor Stage, Second
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Parturition
Pregnancy
Second stage of labor
Time Factors
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Summary:Abstract Background Acupressure is increasing in popularity as an alternative treatment in obstetrics and gynecology. Objectives To summarize and assess evidence regarding the effects of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery. Search strategy Four major databases and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to labor and acupressure, without language restrictions, up to November 2015. Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials were included if they examined the effect of acupressure at any acupoint during childbirth on duration of labor and/or mode of delivery. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently extracted data. The outcome measures were duration of labor and mode of delivery. Random-effects models were used to pool results. Main results Thirteen studies were included in meta-analyses. Acupressure increased the chance of vaginal delivery when compared with placebo/no intervention (odds ratio [OR] 2.329, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.348–4.024, P = 0.002; risk difference [RD] 8.9%, 95% CI 2.7%–15.0%, P = 0.005). Acupressure decreased the duration of the active phase by 1.310 hours (95% CI –1.738 to –0.882; P < 0.001) and the second stage of labor by 5.808 minutes (95% CI –1.615 to –0.807; P < 0.001). Conclusions Acupressure could have a role in reducing the rate of cesarean delivery and decreasing the duration of labor in parturient women. However, there is a need for more reliable randomized controlled trials.
ISSN:0020-7292
1879-3479
DOI:10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.04.017