Wrist-ankle acupuncture as perineal pain relief after mediolateral episiotomy: a pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving perineal pain after mediolateral episiotomy during childbirth.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS:

Women with mediolateral episiotomy during delivery were enrolled in this study and were assigned to be treated or not with acupuncture.

OUTCOMES MEASURES:

Perineal pain relieving effect of acupuncture was evaluated considering oral analgesics request during post-partum period and was the main outcome of this trial.

RESULTS:

A total of 42 women were enrolled in this trial. Twenty-one (21) women were treated with "wrist-ankle" acupuncture, inserting one needle in their right ankle. A second group of 21 women was not treated with acupuncture. Women in the acupuncture group were significantly less likely to experience pain; only 8 of them (38.1%) asked for analgesics. All women in the second group assumed oral analgesics because of perineal pain (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Wrist-ankle acupuncture during the postpartum period is effective for perineal pain relief after mediolateral episiotomy.

• Authors: Chiara Marra, Ilaria Pozzi, Lorenzo Ceppi, Martina Sicuri, Fanny Veneziano, Anna Laura Regalia
• Journal: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (J Altern Complement Med) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 239-41 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1557-7708 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21381963 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Acupuncture Therapy (methods)
• Adult
• Ankle
• Case-Control Studies
• Episiotomy
• Female
• Humans
• Obstetric Labor Complications (therapy)
• Pain, Postoperative (therapy)
• Perineum (surgery)
• Pilot Projects
• Pregnancy
• Wrist