Clinical Trial: Acupuncture to Reduce Labour Pain

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture to Reduce Labour Pain

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture on labour pain.

Detailed Summary: Acupuncture is used in obstetric care in spite of insufficient evidence of its potential to reduce labour pain. The findings so far are contradictory, which may reflect methodological limitations. The present study will take issues into account, such as sufficiently large sample to allow detection of possible differences between study groups; optimal timing of the intervention; controlling for intensity of the treatment; qualified training of persons giving the treatment; biological markers of pain and stress; possible effects on mother and infant; women's experiences such as overall birth experience and memory of pain.
Sponsor: University of Skövde

Current Primary Outcome: Experience of labour pain [ Time Frame: From start of treatment until birth ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Use of epidural analgesia [ Time Frame: From start of treatment until birth ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Skövde

Dates:
Date Received: August 26, 2010
Date Started: October 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: February 3, 2012
Last Verified: February 2012