Comparison of the Effects of Sanyinjiao Point (SP6) Acupressure with Combined SP6 and LI4 Acupressure on Labor Pain Intensity in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is an important event and special experience in women's lives. Labor pain is the most severe pain that women undergo in their lives. Pain management during labor is crucial for the well-being of the mother and fetus. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of combined LI4 and SP6 acupressure with SP6 acupressure on reducing labor pain. Methods: A total of 108 primiparous women who participated in the study were randomized into three groups, combining LI4 and SP6 acupressure, SP6 acupressure, and a control group. Pain intensity was evaluated before, immediately, 1 and 2 hours after the intervention and the second stage of labor by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Although the pain intensity immediately after the intervention was lower in the combined SP6 and LI4 acupressure group than in the other groups, the differences were not significant between the three groups (p = 0.147). The pain intensity 1 hour after the intervention and in the second stage of labor had a statistically significant difference between the three groups (p =0.006, p =0.001). The pain intensity 2 hours after the intervention was lower in the combined SP6 and LI4 acupressure group than the other groups, but it was not statistically significantly different (p= 0.05). The pain intensity 1 hour after the intervention was not statistically different between the SP6 group and the control group (p= 0.095). The pain intensity 2 hours after the intervention was lower in the combined SP6 and LI4 acupressure group compared to the control group, but it was not significant (p=0.06). The pain intensity in the second stage of labor was lower in the combined SP6 and LI4 acupressure group and SP6 acupressure group compared to the control group (p =0.001, p = 0.017), but there was no significant difference between the SP6 acupressure group and combined SP6 and LI4 acupressure group (p=1.000). Conclusion: The obtained results revealed that combination intervention is a safe, effective, noninvasive and economical method in alleviating labor pain intensity. Healthcare providers are expected to master the acupressure technique as an alternative, complementary therapy, which can be used as an alternative or additional therapy.