The effect of acupressure applied to points LV4 and LI4 on perceived acute postpartum perineal pain after vaginal birth with episiotomy: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose Acupressure can be used for alleviating perineal pain sustained after a vaginal birth with episiotomy. To evaluate if a 10-min acupressure application relieved perineal pain after vaginal birth with episiotomy and if the analgesic effect was maintained for up to 120 min. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted from January to May 2019 with 120 women. The participants were over 18 years old, had an episiotomy and experienced perineal pain >= 4, had not received anti-inflammatory medication or analgesics after childbirth, and were randomized to receive acupressure or ice-pack application on the perineum for 10 min or standard care. Results Immediately post-intervention, the women in the experimental groups had a significantly higher decrease in perineal pain. Within 120 min, there was a significant difference in the pain levels between the three groups. Each method (acupressure, ice package and control group) is evaluated for 30 min (VAS 3), 60 min (VAS 4) and 120 min (VAS 5). Comparing these 3 methods the acupressure has significantly reduced pain after the application (VAS 3 3.20 +/- 1.28 vs. 3.77 +/- 1.27 vs. 4.82 +/- 0.93, respectively, VAS 4 2.65 +/- 1.33 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.37 vs. 4.62 +/- 0.97, respectively, VAS 5 2.02 +/- 1.44 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.37 vs. 4.57 +/- 0.93, respectively, p < 0.05) Conclusion Effective pain relief is achieved by applying acupressure for 10 min to the perineum and is maintained between 30, 60, and 120 min.