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Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation
Meaghan E Coyle1, Caroline Smith2, Brian Peat3
1School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 9, 2023
Summary
Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese therapy, may help turn breech babies to a head-down position, potentially reducing the need for interventions like oxytocin. However, evidence on its effect on caesarean sections and safety is uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Perinatal Care
Background:
- Breech presentation at term poses risks, including increased caesarean section rates.
- Moxibustion at acupuncture point BL67 is explored as a method to correct breech presentation.
- This is an updated systematic review of moxibustion's effectiveness and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate moxibustion's efficacy in converting breech presentation to cephalic.
- To assess impacts on external cephalic version (ECV) necessity, birth mode, and perinatal outcomes.
- To determine the safety profile of moxibustion for breech presentation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Included trials compared moxibustion (alone or with other techniques) versus no moxibustion or other methods.
Main Results:
- Moxibustion plus usual care likely reduces non-cephalic presentation at birth (moderate-certainty evidence).
- Evidence is uncertain regarding the effect on the need for ECV and premature rupture of membranes.
- Moxibustion likely reduces oxytocin use but has little to no effect on caesarean section rates.
Conclusions:
- Moxibustion shows potential in correcting breech presentation, with moderate evidence for reducing non-cephalic births.
- The impact on ECV, caesarean rates, and adverse events requires further investigation due to uncertain or limited evidence.
- While possibly reducing oxytocin use, the overall safety and effectiveness warrant cautious interpretation.
