Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study

Item

Title

Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study

Author(s)

Journal Publication

Date

2010

volume

117(10)

pages

1255-1261

Research Type

RCT

Keywords

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether acupuncture is effective for the induction of labour in post-term pregnancies. DESIGN: A double-blind multicentre randomised controlled study. SETTINGS: Aarhus University Hospital and Herning Regional Hospital, Denmark. POPULATION: One hundred and twenty-five healthy women with uneventful pregnancies at gestational week 41(+6) were randomised into two groups. METHODS: The intervention group was given acupuncture twice on the same day at acupuncture point GV20 and bilaterally at points BL67, LI4 and SP6. The control group received sham acupuncture at the same points. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At effect evaluation, which was carried out 24 hours after randomisation, the primary endpoint was labour or delivery. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was achieved in seven women (12%) in the acupuncture group and eight women (14%) in the control group (P = 0.79). Stratification for parity and fetal gender did not alter the results. CONCLUSION: Under the treatment regimen investigated in this study, acupuncture for the induction of labour in post-term women at gestational age 41(+6) weeks may not be effective.

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has health condition studied

Obstetric Surgical Procedures

has study population number

95

has duration

1 Day

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