Acupuncture to induce labour

The influence of acupuncture on the induction of labour for women with a post date pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial.

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12606000494538

Enrollment

404

Registered

2001-03-02

Start date

1998-05-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

The aim of the research was to determine if acupuncture adminisitered to women with a post term pregnancy would reduce the need for induction.

Interventions

Group 1 (Treatment with acupuncture): women will receive a series of acupuncture treatment over a 1 hour period prior to their planned induction. Classical acupuncture points Hegu LI4, Sanyinjiao SP6, Shangliao UB31 and Ciliao UB2, Zusanli ST36, Taichong LR3 or alternative combinations will be used. Any underlying pathology such as deficiency of Blood or Qi, or stagnation of Qi and Blood will be examined, and treated, if appropriate.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Women > or = 41 weeks booked for delivery at Women's and Children's Hospital; singleton pregnancy; cephalic presentation; informed written consent.

Exclusion criteria

Active labour (cervix fully effaced > or = 3cm dilated) and regular uterine contractions; contra-indications to induction of labour or vaginal delivery; women with spontaneous premautre rupture of membranes.

Outcome results