title: Meta-analysis of the effect of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acupressure is increasing in popularity as an alternative treatment in obstetrics and gynecology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize and assess evidence regarding the effects of acupressure on duration of labor and mode of delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four major databases and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to labor and acupressure, without language restrictions, up to November 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials were included if they examined the effect of acupressure at any acupoint during childbirth on duration of labor and/or mode of delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers independently extracted data. The outcome measures were duration of labor and mode of delivery. Random-effects models were used to pool results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen studies were included in meta-analyses. Acupressure increased the chance of vaginal delivery when compared with placebo/no intervention (odds ratio [OR] 2.329, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.348-4.024, P=0.002; risk difference [RD] 8.9%, 95% CI 2.7%-15.0%, P=0.005). Acupressure decreased the duration of the active phase by 1.310 hours (95% CI -1.738 to -0.882; P<0.001) and the second stage of labor by 5.808 minutes (95% CI -1.615 to -0.807; P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupressure could have a role in reducing the rate of cesarean delivery and decreasing the duration of labor in parturient women. However, there is a need for more reliable randomized controlled trials.
authors: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Somayeh
authors: S
authors: Makvandi
authors: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: mirzaiikh@mums.ac.ir.
authors: Khadigeh
authors: K
authors: Mirzaiinajmabadi
authors: Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Ramin
authors: R
authors: Sadeghi
authors: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Mahdavian
authors: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Karimi
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007748:Labor Stage, Second; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Acupressure; Cesarean delivery; Childbirth; First stage of labor; Labor duration; Second stage of labor