Effects of Yintang Acupressure on Labor Duration, Pain, Anxiety, and Childbirth Satisfaction in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
Effects of Yintang Acupressure on Labor Duration, Pain, Anxiety, and Childbirth Satisfaction in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study evaluated whether acupressure applied to the Yintang point during labor affects labor duration, pain, anxiety, and childbirth satisfaction in primiparous women. A total of 104 women were randomly assigned to either the Yintang acupressure group or the sham light-touch control group, with 52 participants in each group.
Participants in the intervention group received five acupressure sessions during labor and the early postpartum period. Participants in the control group received routine midwifery care and light touch at a non-therapeutic forehead location. Labor duration, pain intensity, anxiety, and childbirth satisfaction were compared between the groups.
Inclusion Criteria:
Aged 18 years or older
In the active phase of labor with cervical dilation of 5-6 cm at enrollment
Term singleton pregnancy
Fetus in vertex presentation
No known fetal congenital anomaly
Intact and healthy skin at the forehead area where acupressure or sham light touch was applied
Provided written informed consent to participate
Exclusion Criteria:Known sensitivity or intolerance to acupressure or touch at the application area
Use of pharmacological pain-control methods, including analgesics, sedatives, or epidural analgesia, before enrollment
High-risk pregnancy, including preeclampsia or diabetes
History of a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder
Evidence of fetal distress
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This study was conducted as a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial involving primiparous women admitted to the maternity ward of a hospital in eastern Türkiye. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Yintang acupressure on labor duration, labor pain, postpartum anxiety, and childbirth satisfaction.
A total of 104 eligible participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (n=52) or the sham control group (n=52). Participants in both groups received routine midwifery care.
Participants assigned to the intervention group received manual acupressure at the Yintang point, located on the midline of the forehead between the eyebrows. Five sessions were administered: at 5-6 cm cervical dilation, at 6-7 cm cervical dilation, at approximately 8 cm cervical dilation, during the third stage of labor, and 60 minutes after childbirth. Each session lasted approximately 6-7 minutes.
Participants in the sham control group received light touch at a forehead location outside the Yintang point. The duration, participant position, and practitioner contact were designed to resemble the intervention procedure without applying therapeutic pressure to the Yintang point.
Labor duration was recorded using a labor monitoring form. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale at prespecified assessment points. Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and childbirth satisfaction was assessed using the Birth Satisfaction Assessment Form after childbirth.
Because participant recruitment and data collection had been completed before submission of this record, the study was registered retrospectively.