Effect of gallbladder 21 (GB21) acupressure on length of delivery in nulliparous women

Length of delivery is among the factors affecting maternal and neonatal delivery outcomes. The effect of acupressure on decreasing the length of delivery stages has been recently evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupressure on gallbladder (GB21)  acupoints on the duration of delivery.

This clinical trial included 174 nulliparous women hospitalized in Mofateh Maternity Hospital in Varamin City who were eligible to enter the study. The women were randomly placed into three groups: pressure on GB21, pressure on inappropriate point (sham) and control groups. Intervention was applied during 3stages: at 3-5cm, 6-7cm, and 8-10cm dilatations at the first stage of labor and the lengths of delivery stages were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, Tukey, Bonfferoni and chi-square.

Mean values for duration of the first stage of delivery in GB21, sham and control groups were 257.67±72.86, 289.31±118.72, and 245.09±80.82 min (P>0.05) and for the lengths of the second stage of labor were 71.98±39.89, 64.31±22.91 and 71.50±32.02 min respectively (P>0.05). Mean values for the lengths of the third stage in the GB21, sham and control groups were 5.17±0.9, 5.43±1.4, and 6.29±2.2 min respectively (P>0.05). There was no significant differences among the 3 groups in regard to Apgar Scores (p<0.05). But the required dose of oxytocin and the mean value for the duration of oxytocin administration were higher in the sham and control groups than that in the GB21 acupressure group (P<0.003).

No statistically significant difference was found in the duration of labor in the three groups, but the required dose and duration of oxytocin administration in the acupressure group were much less in the GB21 acupressure group than in the other two groups.