Acupuncture as Pain Relief and Relaxation During Childbirth

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture for pain relief and relaxation during childbirth.

Conditions

• Acupuncture Analgesia
• Natural Childbirth

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Acupuncture

Based on international experiences and experiences from the pilot project 34 specified acupuncture points could be used.Treatment was individualised according to the woman's mobility and localization of pain. Needles were sterile stainless steel acupuncture needles in three lengths: 0.20 x 15 mm, 0.30 x 30 mm and 0.35 x 50 mm. No electric stimulation was used. The duration of needling could vary from 30 minutes to two hours and could be repeated. The needles were removed if the patient felt uncomfortable or in cases with obstetric pathology.

OTHER

TENS

The Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS treatment) was carried out using a B.C - TENS 120Z unit. Two to four electrodes were placed on the skin of the lower back. The units were set in constant mode, initially with a pulse width of 60 micro-seconds and a pulse rate of 100 pulses per second. The treatment lasted from 20 to 45 minutes and could be repeated. The intensity of stimulation could be adjusted by the woman or the midwife.

OTHER

Traditional Group

All analgesic methods available (Sterile water papules, nitro oxygen, bath tub, pethidine and epidural analgesics (EDA)). A specific analgesic was chosen by the woman and the midwife after informed choice.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Aarhus University Hospital Skejby

  collaborator OTHER

• Snedkermester Sophus Jacobsen and hustru Astrid Jacobsens Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Direktør E. Danielsen og Hustrus Fond

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Kong Christian den Tiendes Fond

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Lundbeck Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Manufacturer Mads Clausen Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Else og Mogens Wedell-Wedellsborgs Fond

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The Hede Nielsen Family Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Videns- og Forskningscenter for Alternativ Behandling

  collaborator OTHER

• DADJ (Den almindelige Danske Jordemoderforening)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Aarhus

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Lone Hvidman, MD,PhD · Department of Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark

• Morten Hedegaard, MD, PhD · Department Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet, Denmark

• Lissa Borup, Midwife · Department of Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby

• Winnie M. Wurlitzer, Midwife · Department of obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2001-03-31

Primary Completion

2004-02-29

Completion

2004-05-31

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations