The Effect of EX-B8 Acupressure on Labor Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial

Context: Intense, uncontrolled pain during labor can have negative outcomes for both the mother and the baby, but this can be prevented by utilizing pain-relieving techniques. Childbirth is a natural physiological process, and it is important to prioritize non-pharmacological methods such as acupressure in managing the associated pain. Objective: The present research aims to determine the effects of acupressure on the eighth point of the extra-back meridian (EX-B8) for pain relief during childbirth in primiparous women. Design: This study was a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted at Shahid Rasulullah Hospital in Nikshahr, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. Patients or Other Participants: Ninety primiparous mothers in the active phase of the first stage of labor were selected and randomly divided into three groups: acupressure on EX-B8 (n = 30), sham (n = 30), and control group (n = 30). Intervention(s): The acupressure and sham groups received acupressure for 20 min during their uterine contractions at three different time points: when cervical dilatation was at 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, and 8-10 cm, totaling 60 min. The control group received routine labor care. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pain intensity was assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before, 10 min after, and 20 min after the start of the intervention at three different time points. Results: Pain intensity was significantly lower in the EX-B8 acupressure group compared to the sham and control groups at all three time points of the intervention (p < 0.05). In the EX-B8 group, the greatest amount of pain relief was achieved during dilatation of 8-10 cm, compared to dilatations of 4-5 and 6-7 cm (p=0.0001). Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The current study found that applying acupressure on EX-B8 effectively reduced pain during labor. Acupressure on this point can be recommended as an effective, low-cost, and accessible pain-relieving technique, especially at the end of the active phase of the first stage of labor. Further studies are needed to determine why acupressure on this point is more effective at the end of the active phase of labor. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20211108053006N1.