| Methods |
Single‐blind, randomised controlled trial of acupressure, effleurage and a control group. The randomisation allocation sequence was by coin tossing, participants were sequentially numbered but the allocation sequence was unclear. It was not feasible for the participant and therapist to be blind to their group allocation. The outcome assessors were blind to women's group allocation but unclear for analyst. |
| Participants |
127 women participated in the trial, during their first stage of labour. Participants needed to be between 37 and 42 weeks' pregnant, a low‐risk pregnancy, singleton pregnancy and able to speak Chinese. Women who were induced with oxytocin, or received an epidural block or who planned a caesarean section were excluded from the study. The trial was undertaken in Taiwan, no other details were reported. |
| Interventions |
Trained midwives administered the acupressure to women. The intervention lasted 20 minutes, consisting of 5 minutes pressure to points LI4 and BL67. Five cycles of acupressure were completed in 5 minutes, with each cycle comprising 10 seconds of sustained pressure and 2 seconds of rest without pressure. A protocol was established to control finger pressure, accuracy of points and accuracy of technique. For the effleurage group, the left and right upper arms were massaged for 10 minutes. In the control group, the midwife stayed with the participant for 20 minutes, taking notes or talking with the participant or family members. |
| Outcomes |
A VAS scale was used to measure the intensity of labour pain. This was administered before and after the intervention. Qualitative data were also collected on women's experience of labour pain 1‐2 hours after delivery. The frequency and intensity of uterine contractions were measured from electronic fetal monitors. |
| Notes |
There was no power analysis. Twenty‐three (18%) women withdrew from the study due to a need for a caesarean section, pain medication. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was not performed. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
