Research on Acupuncture in Pregnancy and Childbirth: The U.S. Contribution

Along with an increasing use of acupuncture to treat pregnancy and childbirth concerns comes a need to assess the current state of related research, which is a critical step in defining a research agenda.

The goal of this article is to analyze the U.S. contribution to obstetric acupuncture research against the backdrop of professional positions and relevant historical events.

Original obstetric acupuncture research articles published post-1998 (147) and pre-1998 (62) were reviewed. Studies were placed into topical categories (e.g., breech correction, labor, and delivery), and the current authors identified region of study origin, study focus and type, gestational timing of treatment, general study outcomes, and adverse events. U.S. study characteristics were analyzed relative to those of other regions.

The number of obstetric acupuncture publications more than tripled from pre- to post-1998, and the United States ranked third (behind the European region and China) in published articles. One case study indicated a serious adverse effect. Most post-1998 U.S. articles focused on pregnancy concerns; those conducted in early pregnancy involved acupressure. Acupuncture benefits varied by study topic.

U.S. studies reflected greater effort toward treating pregnancy-related problems, compared to childbirth and postpartum concerns. The U.S. research contribution is discussed within the context of health care system structure, professional concerns, funding, and the role of conventional biomedical care in advancing a successful research agenda.