Ear Acupuncture for Childbirth
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how ear acupuncture might help manage pain and anxiety during early labor. Participants will receive either acupuncture using the 5 Needle Protocol or a placebo treatment with small adhesives. The goal is to determine if acupuncture is a practical and welcomed option for pain relief. The trial seeks expectant mothers who are at least 37 weeks pregnant, in early labor, and experiencing regular contractions.
As an unphased study, this trial provides participants the opportunity to explore a potentially beneficial pain management option during labor.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.
What prior data suggests that ear acupuncture is safe for managing pain and anxiety in early labor?
Research has shown that ear acupuncture is generally safe. One study found that auriculotherapy, a type of ear acupuncture, helped manage labor pain without causing side effects. Another review noted that, despite limited data, ear acupuncture appears safe. However, it emphasized the need for further research to confirm this. Overall, the treatment is well-tolerated, with no major negative effects reported.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike the standard childbirth pain relief methods like epidurals or pain medication, ear acupuncture offers a non-invasive alternative that could minimize the need for drugs. Researchers are excited about this technique because it uses the 5 Needle Protocol of Auricular Acupuncture, targeting specific points on the ear to potentially manage pain and stress naturally. This method may provide a drug-free option for women seeking a more natural childbirth experience, with the added bonus of fewer side effects and quicker recovery times.
What evidence suggests that ear acupuncture is effective for managing pain and anxiety in early labor?
Research has shown that ear acupuncture, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce labor pain and speed up childbirth. Studies have found that this method can shorten labor by about an hour and lessen pain during the most intense part of labor. Women who received this treatment needed about 35% less pain medication. Overall, ear acupuncture appears promising for making childbirth easier and less painful.12456
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for pregnant individuals experiencing early labor who are interested in managing pain and anxiety. It's important that participants have not had any complications with their pregnancy.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either auricular acupuncture using the 5 Needle Protocol or placebo treatment during early labor
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for satisfaction and changes in pain and anxiety scores post-treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Ear Acupuncture
Trial Overview
The study is testing the use of ear acupuncture, specifically placing an acupuncture needle on an adhesive applied to the ear, to see if it helps reduce pain and anxiety during early labor.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Participants randomized to this arm will undergo treatment with the 5 Needle Protocol of Auricular Acupuncture
Participants randomized to this arm will undergo treatment with small adhesives without needles placed in the same configuration as the 5 Needle Protocol
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Lead Sponsor
Citations
The Effect of Auriculotherapy on Labor Pain, Length ...
Acupuncture and acupressure could significantly reduce the labor pain and duration of labor (9-10). Auriculotherapy is a type of alternative medicine that ...
Effects of ear and body acupressure on labor pain ...
Ear acupressure was significantly effective in reducing labor pain and shortening labor active phase. However, body acupressure solely reduces labor pain.
Full article: Effect of auriculotherapy on labor duration
Our results showed that auriculotherapy significantly reduce the length of the active phase of labor by approximately sixty minutes. These ...
a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Labor duration following EA was statistically significantly improved in four studies compared with control groups, including routine obstetric ...
Comparing the effect of auricular acupressure and body ...
Results of an observational study of women receiving acupuncture as part of their antenatal care showed a 35% reduction in the use of labor ...
The role of acupuncture in the present approach to labor ...
The main findings of this study show a significant increase in the spontaneous onset of labor rate in favor of acupuncture compared to no ...
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