title: Auricular acupuncture as a treatment for pregnant women who have low back and posterior pelvic pain: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study was to examine whether 1 week of continuous auricular acupuncture could reduce low back and posterior pelvic pain associated with pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was conducted on pregnant women who have lower back and posterior pelvic pain. These women were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group, a sham acupuncture group, or a waiting list control group. All participants were monitored for 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline and day 7 showed significant group differences in pain (F = 15; P < .0001) and in the disability rating index score (F = 7; P < .0001). The participants in the acupuncture group reported a significant reduction of pain and improvement of functional status as compared with those in the sham acupuncture and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One week of continuous auricular acupuncture decreases the pain and disability experienced by women with pregnancy-related low back and posterior pelvic pain.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8051, USA. shu-ming.wang@yale.edu
authors: Shu-Ming
authors: SM
authors: Wang
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: Dezinno
authors: Eric C
authors: EC
authors: Lin
authors: Haiqun
authors: H
authors: Lin
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Yue
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Berman
authors: Ferne
authors: F
authors: Braveman
authors: Zeev N
authors: ZN
authors: Kain
mesh_terms: D020831:Acupuncture, Ear; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*