삼음교 지압이 분만통증 및 자궁수축양상에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of SP-6 acupressure on labor pain, labor duration, change in serum stress hormone levels, and the pattern of uterine contraction in laboring women. Methods: A total of 66 pregnant women were randomly divided into acupressure group (n=26) and control group (n=40). When cervical dilation reached 3 cm, acupressure group were received with the acupressure of 120 mmHg on the SP-6 points. As for the control group, thumbs were placed on the SP-6 points not applying any pressure. The severity of labor pain interpreted by visual- analogue scale (VAS), labor duration, serum stress hormone levels, and tocodynanometry findings were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results: The severity of labor pain was significantly reduced in the acupressure group (p=0.007). Average labor durations in acupressure group and control groups were not significantly different (487.5±215.4 vs. 434.6±203.4 mins). Also, no significant differences regarding contraction duration, intensity, interval, rate of rise, area-under-curve, and Montevideo unit of uterine contraction were noted between the groups. No significant changes in the serum stress hormone level were noted in both groups. Conclusion: SP-6 acupressure effectively reduce perceived labor pain in pregnant women during active labor. However, the pain relief following acupressure were not attributable to modification of uterine contraction or changes in stress hormone levels. Though its mechanism is unknown, SP-6 acupressure seems to be a non-invasive, cost-free, and a simple method to reduce labor pain.