The effect of acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor when applied to the SP6 point: Randomized clinical trial

AIM: This study aims to determine the effect of acupressure (SP6) on first stage of labor pain and duration. METHODS: A single blind, randomized controlled experimental trial was conducted with 60 pregnant women: 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. At the active and transition stages of labor, acupressure was applied to the SP6 point of the experimental group, and the SP6 point of the control group was touched each contraction. The data were collected using the Pregnant Information Form. The Partograph Form was used to determine the duration of active stage and transition stage. The labor pain severity was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) immediately after each acupressure/touch SP6 in active and transition stages. A participant questionnaire on satisfaction was administered in the immediate postnatal period. The group difference was tested for statistical significance using the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: As the primary outcome, labor pain was less and duration of labor was shorter for the experimental group. As the secondary outcome, satisfaction was increased that could be as a result of reduced pain in labor and/or shorter duration of labor. The perceived pain level in the active stage in the experimental group (n = 30) was less than the control group (n = 30) (labor pain: 7.17 + 0.89 vs. 7.66 + 0.71, p = .002). The mean duration of the first stage of labor in the experimental group was shorter than the control group (4.88 + 0.85 hr vs. 5.56 ± 0.66, p = .001). It was also found that pregnant women in the experimental group would recommend this method to other pregnant women (Chi-square = 5.711, p = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Application of acupressure on SP6 was found to have a positive effect on pregnant women's labor experience and reducing the labor pain and shortening the duration of first stage of labor compared to touch on SP6. The women receiving acupressure had higher levels of satisfaction in acupressure application than women receiving only touch on SP6, which could be as a result of reduced pain in labor and/or shorter duration of labor.