Tsuei J J, Lai Y, Sharma S D
Obstet Gynecol. 1977 Oct;50(4):479-8.
Uterine response to electroacupuncture stimulation of specific sites of the extremities is demonstrated in 60 pregnant women--48 cases for labor induction and 12 cases for inhibition of premature labor. In the 34 term, post-term, and 7 intrauterine fetal death cases, induction of labor was attempted; in 32 cases delivery was achieved, resulting in a success rate of 78%. In 7 cases of midterm abortion attempts, all failed to respond. Of the 12 cases of premature labor, with the exception of 1 case, all carried the pregnancy to term, resulting in a success rate of 91.6%. Based on these clinical observations, electroacupuncture may become a useful tool in controlling labor. The possible mechanism of action is discussed. Further investigation and standardization of this technique is proposed.
60名孕妇展示了子宫对肢体特定部位电针刺激的反应——48例用于引产，12例用于抑制早产。在34例足月、过期妊娠及7例宫内死胎病例中尝试引产；32例成功分娩，成功率为78%。在7例中期流产尝试中，均未出现反应。12例早产病例中，除1例之外，其余均足月妊娠，成功率为91.6%。基于这些临床观察，电针可能成为控制分娩的一种有用工具。文中讨论了可能的作用机制。建议对该技术进行进一步研究和标准化。
