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Nurse-Led SP6 and LI4 Acupressure for Improving Labour Pain, Maternal Coping, and Intrapartum Maternal Comfort: A
Sakila Basnet1, Barkha Devi1, Geeta Shyamsunder Soohinda2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sikkim Manipal College of Nursing, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
Background:
Childbirth is a multidimensional experience involving physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Holistic nursing interventions such as acupressure may improve maternal well-being beyond pain relief, yet comparative evidence for SP6 (Sanyinjiao) and LI4 (Hegu) acupressure is limited.
Purpose:
To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of nurse-administered SP6 and LI4 acupressure on labour pain, maternal coping, and intrapartum maternal comfort among primiparous women.
Methods:
In this three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial, 90 primiparous women were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to SP6 acupressure, LI4 acupressure, or routine intrapartum care (30/group). Acupressure was administered at 4, 6, and 8 cm cervical dilatation. Labour pain and coping were assessed repeatedly, and maternal comfort was measured once at 10 cm cervical dilatation. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models and one-way ANOVA.
Results:
Significant group, time, and group × time interaction effects were observed for labour pain and coping (all p < .001). Compared with LI4 acupressure and routine care, SP6 acupressure produced greater pain reduction, improved maternal coping, and higher intrapartum maternal comfort (all p < .001).
Discussion:
Guided by Swanson's Theory of Caring, SP6 acupressure appears to be a feasible holistic nursing intervention that supports person-centred maternity care. Larger multicentre randomized controlled trials are warranted.
