title: Characteristics of a U.S. obstetric acupuncture clinic patient sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most U.S.-based studies on acupuncture treatment for obstetric concerns published in mainstream health journals have been randomized controlled trials, widely considered the "gold standard" for clinical research. However, whether those studies adequately reflect the characteristics and treatment concerns of actual treatment users is as yet unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Provide a reference point for advancing U.S. obstetric acupuncture research by (1) describing background and relevant treatment characteristics of an obstetric acupuncture clinic sample and (2) reviewing those characteristics in relationship to existing U.S.-based studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive follow-up involving a patient-completed internet survey; chief treatment concern and number of treatment sessions were validated against patient records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 265 former clinic patients, 137 (51.7%) completed the internet survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient referral source and demographics; primary and secondary treatment concerns; number of treatment sessions; and planned birth attendant and setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinic sample's demographics generally aligned with those in existing U.S. studies. However, the chief concern of most clinic patients was labor facilitation compared to two of the seven U.S.-based publications. Clinic patients learned about acupuncture through midwives and family/friends; 28% planned out-of-hospital birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This first study on a U.S. obstetric acupuncture clinic sample suggests that an obstetric acupuncture research agenda relevant to current treatment users should increase focus on labor facilitation, involve samples from a wider range of maternal care settings, and continue outreach to ethnic minorities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, WSU Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686. Electronic address: esoliday@vancouver.wsu.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soliday
authors.affiliation: Bastyr University, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hapke
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006302:Health Services Research; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008880:Midwifery; D011247:Pregnancy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014481:United States
keywords: Acupuncture; TCM obstetrics; descriptive study; pregnancy