title: Acupuncture during labor can reduce the use of meperidine: a controlled clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as an analgesic during labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, unblinded, controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A labor ward in a University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parturients at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  One group received acupuncture (N = 106); another did not (N = 92). A second control group (N = 92), drawn from the labor ward protocol, consisted of patients who met the eligibility criteria for the study and were matched to the "no acupuncture" group by parity, but who had not been offered the opportunity to take part. Outcome measure "effectiveness of acupuncture" was measured by the requirement for use of meperidine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meperidine was given to 11% of the acupuncture group, 37% of the no acupuncture group (P < 0.0001), and 29% of the control group. The use of other analgesics was also lower in the acupuncture group. Patient satisfaction was high: 89 of 103 patients asked said they would want acupuncture during another labor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture during labor reduced the requirement for other painkillers and has high patient satisfaction in this randomized, unblinded, controlled study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. britt-ingjerd.nesheim@ulleval.no
authors.forename: Britt-Ingjerd
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Nesheim
authors.forename: Ragnhild
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinge
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alfredsson
authors.forename: Eibjørg
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allgot
authors.forename: Gry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hove
authors.forename: Wenche
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: Ingunn
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jorsett
authors.forename: Sigrun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skei
authors.forename: Stani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solberg
mesh_terms: D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D059408:Pain Management; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008614:Meperidine