Effects of SP6 Acupressure on Labor Pain During Childbirth Among Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Acupressure is a nonpharmacological therapeutic technique that involves applying pressure to specific body points to promote energy flow and relieve pain. This study evaluated the effect of Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupressure on labor pain among nulliparous women.

A randomized clinical trial was conducted between January and March 2023 in the labor and maternity wards of a tertiary care hospital in Sikkim, India. Sixty nulliparous women at 37-42 weeks of gestation with at least three contractions in 10 minutes were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The control group received routine obstetric care, while the intervention group received SP6 acupressure for two minutes during each contraction for 30 minutes, starting at 4 cm and continuing until 8 cm cervical dilatation. Labor pain was assessed seven times using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), repeated-measures ANOVA, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

No significant difference was observed in the baseline pain scores between the groups (F_1,58 = 0.12, p > 0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant reduction in pain intensity in the intervention group at 4 cm (F_1,58 = 88.67, p < 0.001) and 6 cm dilation (F_1,58 = 305.4, p < 0.001). ANCOVA confirmed significant differences between the groups across seven measurements (F_1,58 = 117.20, p < 0.05).

SP6 acupressure demonstrated a positive effect on pain intensity and was a safe, noninvasive, and cost-effective method for reducing labor pain among nulliparous women. Therefore, it can be recommended as a supportive midwifery practice alongside routine obstetric care.