Acupuncture for the induction of labour: a double-blind randomised controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether acupuncture is effective for the induction of labour in post-term pregnancies.


METHODS
A double-blind multicentre randomised controlled study.


METHODS
Aarhus University Hospital and Herning Regional Hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Modlock
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Herning Regional Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Nielsen
B B
BB
Uldbjerg
N
N
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged / Q000628:therapy*