Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on labor pain and delivery time in nulliparous women

Analgesics and anesthetic pain relief in labor often have unwanted sedative effects in the mothers and their newborns. It seems that using non-pharmacologic methods, such as acupressure, affect on labor pain and delivery time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SP6 acupressure on labor pain and delivery time in nulliparas women in Iranshahr hospital in 2008-2009. A randomized clinical trial study was performed on 60 eligible nulliparas women who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (4 cm dilatation of cervix). The women were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: SP6 acupressure or SP6 touch. The participants, received acupressure or touch on SP6 acupoint, 3 Kun above the tip of the inner malleous just posterior to the border of tibia above the ankle, for 20 minute during contractions on two feet. Labor pain was measured four times with visual-analogue scale (VAS): before and after the intervention in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation. Length of delivery time was calculated in two stages: from 4 cm cervical dilation to full cervical dilatation and full cervical dilatation to the delivery. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive statistical, paired t-test, chi square and independent t-tests. There was a significant reduction in the severity of pain in 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation in case group compared to control group (P<0.001). The length of delivery time in active phase was less in case group compared to control group P<0.001, but there was hot difference in second place of delivery. SP6 acupressure may be applied in a non-invasive and easy to use fashion for pain control in the labor.