A feasibility randomised controlled trial of acupressure to assist spontaneous labour for primigravid women experiencing a post-date pregnancy

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. Objective: this Australian feasibility study aimed to determine; the willingness of women experiencing a post-date pregnancy to participate in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of acupressure and compliance with the study protocol. The study also aimed to determine the effect size of the primary outcome in order to calculate a sample size for a future appropriately powered RCT. Design: a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Staff providing clinical care were blinded to group allocation unless the participant disclosed study participation. Setting: maternity services at two outer metropolitan public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Participants: sixty seven healthy primigravid women experiencing a singleton cephalic pregnancy at 40 weeks±2 days gestation were assessed as eligible to participate and were provided with study information. Intervention: both groups received standard clinical care, with the intervention group also receiving verbal and written instructions on the self-administration of three acupoints (Spleen 6, Large Intestine 4, and Gall Bladder 21) to be used until spontaneous or induced labour began. Measurements: assessment of feasibility included determining recruitment rate and acceptability of an RCT for a CAM modality, and acupressure treatment compliance, via participant surveys. The primary clinical outcome was spontaneous onset of labour. Findings: from the 67 women eligible during the timeframe for the study, 44 women (65.6%) agreed to participate and were randomised. There was no statistically significant difference in rate of spontaneous onset of labour (50% acupressure vs 41% control). Twenty nine participant surveys were returned (65.9%). In the intervention group there was a high compliance with the acupressure protocol (83%) and the use of the three acupoints (94%). Conclusions and implications for practice: this feasibility study revealed that pregnant women are interested in the use of CAM, and acupressur