Acupuncture to initiate labor (Acumoms 2): A randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial
Item
Title
Acupuncture to initiate labor (Acumoms 2): A randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial
Journal Publication
Date
2009
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for labor stimulation. Methods. iparous women at 38 weeks or greater were randomized to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or usual care only groups. Acupuncture points LI4, SP6, BL32, and BL54 were needled bilaterally. The primary outcome was time from enrollment to delivery. Secondary outcomes included rates of spontaneous labor and cesarean delivery. Medical records were abstracted for maternal demographic, medical, and delivery outcome data. ANOVA, Student's t-test, Chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to compare groups. Results. Eighty-nine women were enrolled and randomized. Maternal age, gestational age, prior acupuncture experience, tobacco, alcohol and drug use, gravida, and history of gynecological surgery were similar among the groups. There were no statistically significant differences among groups for time from enrollment to delivery (p = 0.20), rates of spontaneous labor (p = 0.66), or rates of cesarean delivery (p = 0.37). Rates of maternal and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different. Conclusion. TCM acupuncture was not effective in initiating spontaneous labor or reducing the rate of cesarean delivery compared with sham acupuncture or usual medical care
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has health condition studied
Obstetric Surgical Procedures
plan
>1/WK
has study population number
89
has duration
2 Weeks