Effect of LI4 and BL32 acupressure on labor pain and delivery outcome in the first stage of labor in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: This study examines and compares the effect of LI4 and BL32 acupressure with each other and control group on labor pain and delivery outcomes.

Design: In this randomized controlled trial, 105 primiparous women in active phase of first-stage of labor were equally assigned to two experimental groups [acupressure on LI4 (n=35) or BL32 (n=35)] and a control group (n=35).

Interventions: The experimental groups received routine labor care and acupressure in LI4 or BL32 points in three cervical dilatations (4-5, 6-7, and 8-10cm). The control group only received routine labor care.

Main outcome measures: Pain was assessed by numerical rating scale in three cervical dilatations, before and after intervention. Type of delivery (cesarean, vaginal or operative delivery) and neonatal Apgar score were considered as delivery outcomes, these data collected by a check list. Data were analyzed using Repeated Measurement, ANOVA, Chi-Square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: Pain reduction was significantly greater in LI4 and BL32 groups compared with control in all periods of study. Also, acupressure on BL32 point was superior to LI4 point in pain relief in the first and second but not third intervention. No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of delivery outcomes.

Conclusion: Acupressure on BL32 and LI4 points are effective in reducing labor pain compared to control group with a slight superiority for BL32 points. Acupressure on these points could apply for relief pain in labor as an inexpensive and easy to administered method.

Keywords: Acupressure; BL32; Delivery outcome; LI4; Labor pain; Randomized control trial.