The effect of GB21 acupressure on pain intensity in the first stage of labor in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Labor pain is one of the most intensive pains experienced by women; it results in physical, emotional, and physiological changes in women's body. The present study aimed to examine the effect of GB21 acupressure on labor pain.

Design: In this randomized clinical trial, 174 primiparous women in their first stage of labor were selected and assigned to three groups: GB21 acupressure group (n = 58), sham group (n = 58), and control group (n = 58).

Interventions: The acupressure and sham groups received routine labor care and acupressure in three different phases of cervical dilations to 3-5 cm, 6-7 cm, and 8-10 cm. The control group received routine care in labor.

Main outcome measures: Pain severity was measured using a pain scale ruler in three cervical dilations before and after intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, paired-t test and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results: Pain reduction was significantly higher in GB21 groups compared with sham and control groups (P = 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed between the three groups in terms of delivery outcomes.

Conclusions: In this study, GB21 acupressure was effective in pain relief during labor, hence recommended as a practical, effective, inexpensive, and accessible method for labor pain management.

Keywords: Acupressure; GB21 point; Labor pain; Primiparous women; Sham point.