title: Using moxibustion in primary healthcare to correct non-vertex presentation: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of additional moxibustion at point BL67 with moxibustion at a non-specific acupuncture point and with usual care alone to correct non-vertex presentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multicentre randomised controlled trial in which 406 low-risk pregnant women with a fetus in ultrasound breech presentation, with a gestational age of 33-35 weeks, were assigned to (1) true moxibustion at point BL67 plus usual care; (2) moxibustion at SP1, a non-specific acupuncture point (sham moxibustion) plus usual care; or (3) usual care alone. The primary outcome was cephalic presentation at birth. Women were recruited at health centres in primary healthcare.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the true moxibustion group, 58.1% of the full-term presentations were cephalic compared with 43.4% in the sham moxibustion group (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.70) and 44.8% of those in the usual care group (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.64). The reduction in RR of the primary outcome in women allocated to the true moxibustion group compared with the usual care group was 29.7% (95% CI 3.1% to 55.2%) and the number needed to treat was 8 (95% CI 4 to 72). There were no severe adverse effects during the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moxibustion at acupuncture point BL67 is effective and safe to correct non-vertex presentation when used between 33 and 35 weeks of gestation. We believe that moxibustion represents a treatment option that should be considered to achieve version of the non-vertex fetus.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10634508.
authors.affiliation: Pain Treatment Unit, Doña Mercedes Primary Health Care Centre, Andalusian Public Health System, Dos Hermanas, Sevilla 41700, Spain. jorgef.vas.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vas
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aranda-Regules
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Modesto
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramos-Monserrat
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barón
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Benítez-Parejo
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramírez-Carmona
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivas-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001946:Breech Presentation; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009071:Moxibustion; D011247:Pregnancy; D059039:Standard of Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014710:Version, Fetal; D055815:Young Adult