title: The Effect of Acupressure at GB-21 and SP-6 Acupoints on Anxiety Level and Maternal-Fetal Attachment in Primiparous Women: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Delivery is one of the most stressful events in women's life. Excessive anxiety, in turn, increases delivery and pregnancy complications. Mother's positive experience of delivery leads to more effective maternal-fetal attachment in the first few hours of birth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to compare the effects of acupressure at two different acupoints on anxiety level and maternal-fetal attachment in primiparous women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 150 primiparous women were allocated to acupressure at GB-21 acupoint, acupressure at SP-6 acupoint, and control group. The women in their active phase of delivery were enrolled in the study and pressure was applied to the acupoints for 20 minutes. Mother's anxiety level was assessed using Spielberger's questionnaire before and one hour after the intervention. In addition, maternal-fetal attachment behaviors were evaluated using Avant's questionnaire during the first breastfeeding. Then the data were introduced to the SPSS (v. 13) and were analyzed using t test and one way ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed no significant difference among the three groups regarding the anxiety level before the intervention (P > 0.05). One hour after the intervention, this measure was significantly lower in the intervention groups in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the two intervention groups in this regard (P > 0.05). Moreover, maternal-fetal attachment was higher in the intervention groups in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupressure at both acupoints reduced anxiety level and increased maternal-fetal attachment. This method can be easily used in the delivery room.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.affiliation: Community based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Midwifery, Fatemeh (P.B.U.H) School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akbarzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Parvin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Monieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hadianfard
keywords: Acupressure; Anxiety; Maternal-Fetal Relations