Meta-analysis of the effect of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery.

BACKGROUND

Acupressure is increasing in popularity as an alternative treatment in obstetrics and gynecology.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize and assess evidence regarding the effects of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Four major databases and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to labor and acupressure, without language restrictions, up to November 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials were included if they examined the effect of acupressure at any acupoint during childbirth on duration of labor and/or mode of delivery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data. The outcome measures were duration of labor and mode of delivery. Random-effects models were used to pool results.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in meta-analyses. Acupressure increased the chance of vaginal delivery when compared with placebo/no intervention (odds ratio [OR] 2.329, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.348-4.024, P=0.002; risk difference [RD] 8.9%, 95% CI 2.7%-15.0%, P=0.005). Acupressure decreased the duration of the active phase by 1.310 hours (95% CI -1.738 to -0.882; P<0.001) and the second stage of labor by 5.808 minutes (95% CI -1.615 to -0.807; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Acupressure could have a role in reducing the rate of cesarean delivery and decreasing the duration of labor in parturient women. However, there is a need for more reliable randomized controlled trials.