| Methods |
Single‐blind, randomised controlled trial of acupressure or touch control. The randomisation sequence was generated from random‐number tables, the allocation concealment sequence was open. The participants and outcome assessors were blind to group allocation. |
| Participants |
89 women were randomly allocated to the trial. Inclusion criteria for the study were: greater than 37 weeks pregnant, singleton pregnancy, planning a vaginal delivery and in good health. Women were recruited to the study from publicity materials in the outpatient department of a general hospital in Korea. |
| Interventions |
Women allocated to the intervention group received acupressure at SP6, or to the control group touch at SP6. The acupressure involved pressure at SP6 on both legs during a contraction during a 30‐minute time period during each contraction. The pressure applied was 2150 mmHg. The control group received touch with no pressure from the thumbs. |
| Outcomes |
Pain was measured along a VAS and assessed at entry, before the intervention was administered, after the intervention, and 30 and 60 minutes after the intervention. Other outcomes included duration of labour, use of pain relief, and maternal anxiety. |
| Notes |
No power analysis was reported. Fourteen (15%) women did not complete the study. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
