Effects of Acupuncture for Pain Control After Cesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

IF 2.4 4区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL

International Journal of Clinical Practice Pub Date : 2025-09-23 DOI:10.1155/ijcp/6025759

He Chen, Ying Zhan, Min Yang, Xinkun Liu, Jiamin Yi, Hangyu Shi, Yixing Xu, Zhishun Liu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Postcesarean pain significantly compromises maternal well-being and mother–newborn interaction. Given the side effects associated with conventional analgesics, alternative therapies such as acupuncture warrant consideration. However, evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture for postcesarean pain relief.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until July 23, 2024. The primary outcome was pain intensity at 24 h after cesarean delivery, assessed via Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) or Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included pain intensity at other time points, analgesic consumption, and safety profiles.

Results: Six RCTs involving 614 participants were included. Analysis of the primary outcome indicated that acupuncture combined with analgesics significantly reduced pain scores at 24 h postcesarean compared to analgesics alone (mean difference [MD] −0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.04 to −0.13; low certainty). Pooled data from three trials showed superior pain relief at 24 h postcesarean with acupuncture plus analgesics versus sham acupuncture (SA) plus analgesics (MD −1.79; 95% CI −2.70 to −0.88; I² = 80%; low certainty). However, one trial reported that SA plus analgesics was superior in pain reduction. Another trial found acupuncture comparable to lateral quadratus lumborum block (L-QLB) in pain alleviation. Results on analgesic consumption were inconsistent. No serious acupuncture-related adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: Acupuncture may serve as a promising complementary therapy for postcesarean pain with a good safety profile. However, the evidence quality is limited and heterogeneous. Further high-quality studies are needed to inform clinical practice.

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针刺对剖宫产后疼痛控制的影响：随机对照试验的系统回顾和荟萃分析

背景：剖宫产后疼痛显著影响产妇健康和母婴互动。考虑到与传统镇痛药相关的副作用，针灸等替代疗法值得考虑。然而，关于针灸效果的证据仍然没有定论。本系统综述和荟萃分析旨在评价针刺对剖宫产后疼痛的缓解作用。方法：综合检索截至2024年7月23日已发表的相关随机对照试验（rct）。主要终点是剖宫产后24小时的疼痛强度，通过数值评定量表（NRS）或视觉模拟量表（VAS）进行评估。次要结局包括其他时间点的疼痛强度、止痛剂用量和安全性。结果：纳入6项随机对照试验，共614名受试者。主要结局分析显示，与单独使用镇痛药相比，针刺联合镇痛药可显著降低剖宫产后24 h疼痛评分（平均差[MD] - 0.59； 95%可信区间[CI] - 1.04至- 0.13；低确定性）。三项试验的汇总数据显示，在剖宫产后24小时，针刺加镇痛药优于假针（SA）加镇痛药（MD - 1.79; 95% CI - 2.70至- 0.88;I2 = 80%；低确定性）。然而，一项试验报告SA加镇痛药在减轻疼痛方面更优越。另一项试验发现针灸在缓解疼痛方面与腰方肌阻滞（L-QLB）相当。镇痛药消耗结果不一致。未见严重针灸相关不良事件的报道。结论：针刺治疗剖宫产后疼痛具有良好的安全性，是一种有前景的辅助治疗方法。然而，证据质量是有限的和异质性的。需要进一步的高质量研究为临床实践提供信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Clinical Practice 医学-医学：内科

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

0.00%

发文量

274

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： IJCP is a general medical journal. IJCP gives special priority to work that has international appeal. IJCP publishes: Editorials. IJCP Editorials are commissioned. [Peer reviewed at the editor''s discretion] Perspectives. Most IJCP Perspectives are commissioned. Example. [Peer reviewed at the editor''s discretion] Study design and interpretation. Example. [Always peer reviewed] Original data from clinical investigations. In particular: Primary research papers from RCTs, observational studies, epidemiological studies; pre-specified sub-analyses; pooled analyses. [Always peer reviewed] Meta-analyses. [Always peer reviewed] Systematic reviews. From October 2009, special priority will be given to systematic reviews. [Always peer reviewed] Non-systematic/narrative reviews. From October 2009, reviews that are not systematic will be considered only if they include a discrete Methods section that must explicitly describe the authors'' approach. Special priority will, however, be given to systematic reviews. [Always peer reviewed] ''How to…'' papers. Example. [Always peer reviewed] Consensus statements. [Always peer reviewed] Short reports. [Always peer reviewed] Letters. [Peer reviewed at the editor''s discretion] International scope IJCP publishes work from investigators globally. Around 30% of IJCP articles list an author from the UK. Around 30% of IJCP articles list an author from the USA or Canada. Around 45% of IJCP articles list an author from a European country that is not the UK. Around 15% of articles published in IJCP list an author from a country in the Asia-Pacific region.