Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labour

Abstract

Trusted evidence. Informed decisions. Better health.

Acupuncture for induction of labor in uncomplicated term pregnancies and the role of the acupoint selection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 reported in a subgroup analysis that electroacupuncture-using electrical stimulation at acupuncture pointswas more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births. Similarly, our further subgroup analysis (Appendix 4) also suggests that non-manual acupuncture methods, including laser and electro-acupuncture, may facilitate instrumental vaginal delivery; however, the results come from a limited number of participants and warrant further studies.…”

“…Overall, our findings suggest that AC‐IOL does not substantially impact labor progression or birth outcomes such as spontaneous labor onset, use of epidural analgesia, modes of delivery, or neonatal Apgar scores at 5 min when compared to sAC or UC. These results are largely consistent with previous reviews by Cho et al., 11 Smith et al., 29 and Wieland et al 23 . In contrast to our findings, Zamora‐Brito et al 26 .…”

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 . reported in a subgroup analysis that electro‐acupuncture—using electrical stimulation at acupuncture points—was more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births.…”

Acupuncture for induction of labor in uncomplicated term pregnancies and the role of the acupoint selection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 reported in a subgroup analysis that electroacupuncture-using electrical stimulation at acupuncture pointswas more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births. Similarly, our further subgroup analysis (Appendix 4) also suggests that non-manual acupuncture methods, including laser and electro-acupuncture, may facilitate instrumental vaginal delivery; however, the results come from a limited number of participants and warrant further studies.…”

“…Overall, our findings suggest that AC‐IOL does not substantially impact labor progression or birth outcomes such as spontaneous labor onset, use of epidural analgesia, modes of delivery, or neonatal Apgar scores at 5 min when compared to sAC or UC. These results are largely consistent with previous reviews by Cho et al., 11 Smith et al., 29 and Wieland et al 23 . In contrast to our findings, Zamora‐Brito et al 26 .…”

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 . reported in a subgroup analysis that electro‐acupuncture—using electrical stimulation at acupuncture points—was more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births.…”

The effect of acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor when applied to the SP6 point: Randomized clinical trial

“…Therefore, the results of the study support the hypothesis that the acupressure group experienced a greater decrease in labor pain than those in the control groups during the active stage of labor. Our study findings are supported by Smith et al () and by Levett et al (). They found that acupressure is effective in reducing labor pain.…”

Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period

“…The one study that reported acupuncture compared with misoprostol found a shorter duration among the misoprostol group (279 vs. 404 min; P =0.0362) 38. In line with the latest Cochrane review,31 our review of the studies on labor induction indicates that the use of acupuncture does not appear to provide any benefit with respect to induction of labor.…”

Acupuncture for induction of labor in uncomplicated term pregnancies and the role of the acupoint selection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 reported in a subgroup analysis that electroacupuncture-using electrical stimulation at acupuncture pointswas more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births. Similarly, our further subgroup analysis (Appendix 4) also suggests that non-manual acupuncture methods, including laser and electro-acupuncture, may facilitate instrumental vaginal delivery; however, the results come from a limited number of participants and warrant further studies.…”

“…Overall, our findings suggest that AC‐IOL does not substantially impact labor progression or birth outcomes such as spontaneous labor onset, use of epidural analgesia, modes of delivery, or neonatal Apgar scores at 5 min when compared to sAC or UC. These results are largely consistent with previous reviews by Cho et al., 11 Smith et al., 29 and Wieland et al 23 . In contrast to our findings, Zamora‐Brito et al 26 .…”

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 . reported in a subgroup analysis that electro‐acupuncture—using electrical stimulation at acupuncture points—was more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births.…”

The effect of acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor when applied to the SP6 point: Randomized clinical trial

“…Therefore, the results of the study support the hypothesis that the acupressure group experienced a greater decrease in labor pain than those in the control groups during the active stage of labor. Our study findings are supported by Smith et al () and by Levett et al (). They found that acupressure is effective in reducing labor pain.…”

Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period

“…The one study that reported acupuncture compared with misoprostol found a shorter duration among the misoprostol group (279 vs. 404 min; P =0.0362) 38. In line with the latest Cochrane review,31 our review of the studies on labor induction indicates that the use of acupuncture does not appear to provide any benefit with respect to induction of labor.…”

Acupuncture for induction of labor in uncomplicated term pregnancies and the role of the acupoint selection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 reported in a subgroup analysis that electroacupuncture-using electrical stimulation at acupuncture pointswas more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births. Similarly, our further subgroup analysis (Appendix 4) also suggests that non-manual acupuncture methods, including laser and electro-acupuncture, may facilitate instrumental vaginal delivery; however, the results come from a limited number of participants and warrant further studies.…”

“…Overall, our findings suggest that AC‐IOL does not substantially impact labor progression or birth outcomes such as spontaneous labor onset, use of epidural analgesia, modes of delivery, or neonatal Apgar scores at 5 min when compared to sAC or UC. These results are largely consistent with previous reviews by Cho et al., 11 Smith et al., 29 and Wieland et al 23 . In contrast to our findings, Zamora‐Brito et al 26 .…”

“…While we found no significant differences in the rates of overall vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or cesarean section, Smith et al 29 . reported in a subgroup analysis that electro‐acupuncture—using electrical stimulation at acupuncture points—was more effective than manual acupuncture in reducing cesarean section rates and promoting both instrumental and spontaneous vaginal births.…”

The effect of acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor when applied to the SP6 point: Randomized clinical trial

“…Therefore, the results of the study support the hypothesis that the acupressure group experienced a greater decrease in labor pain than those in the control groups during the active stage of labor. Our study findings are supported by Smith et al () and by Levett et al (). They found that acupressure is effective in reducing labor pain.…”

Acupressure and Acupuncture Use in the Peripartum Period

“…The one study that reported acupuncture compared with misoprostol found a shorter duration among the misoprostol group (279 vs. 404 min; P =0.0362) 38. In line with the latest Cochrane review,31 our review of the studies on labor induction indicates that the use of acupuncture does not appear to provide any benefit with respect to induction of labor.…”