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General obstetrics
Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study
Article first published online: 24 JUN 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02647.x
© 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © RCOG 2010 BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Issue
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 117, Issue 10, pages 1255–1261, September 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Modlock, J., Nielsen, B. and Uldbjerg, N. (2010), Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 117: 1255–1261. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02647.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 AUG 2010
- Article first published online: 24 JUN 2010
- Accepted 13 April 2010. Published Online 24 June 2010.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Acupuncture;
- labour induction;
- prolonged pregnancy;
- sham acupuncture
Please cite this paper as: Modlock J, Nielsen B, Uldbjerg N. Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study. BJOG 2010;117:1255–1261.
Objective To investigate whether acupuncture is effective for the induction of labour in post-term pregnancies.
Design A double-blind multicentre randomised controlled study.
Settings Aarhus University Hospital and Herning Regional Hospital, Denmark.
Population One hundred and twenty-five healthy women with uneventful pregnancies at gestational week 41+6 were randomised into two groups.
Methods The intervention group was given acupuncture twice on the same day at acupuncture point GV20 and bilaterally at points BL67, LI4 and SP6. The control group received sham acupuncture at the same points.
Main outcome measures At effect evaluation, which was carried out 24 hours after randomisation, the primary endpoint was labour or delivery.
Results The primary endpoint was achieved in seven women (12%) in the acupuncture group and eight women (14%) in the control group (P = 0.79). Stratification for parity and fetal gender did not alter the results.
Conclusion Under the treatment regimen investigated in this study, acupuncture for the induction of labour in post-term women at gestational age 41+6 weeks may not be effective.