Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Relieving Pain in Postpartum Women With Episiotomy

HSIAO AI WEN90 enrolled

Overview

This randomized, single-blind controlled trial examined the effects of auricular acupressure on postpartum women who underwent episiotomy. A total of 86 participants were allocated to either an intervention group, which received routine care plus transparent auricular patches containing magnetic beads applied to selected acupoints, or a control group, which received identical patches without magnetic beads. The patches were applied for 48 hours after delivery. Perineal pain and its impact on daily activities were assessed at 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours postpartum, while satisfaction with perineal pain care was measured at 48 hours. Using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and generalized estimating equations, the study evaluated whether auricular acupressure reduced perineal wound pain, lessened pain-related interference with daily activities, and improved satisfaction with perineal pain management.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Auricular Acupressure Episiotomy Pain

Interventions

auricular patchDEVICE

After placental delivery, the intervention group received routine care plus a transparent patented auricular patch containing magnetic beads, while the control group received a transparent patented auricular patch without magnetic beads. The selected acupoints included internal genitalia (TF2), external genitalia (HX4), Shenmen (TF4), sympathetic (AH6a), and subcortex (AT4)

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

-Inclusion Criteria- 1. Women with singleton pregnancies who delivered vaginally. 2. Women who underwent episiotomy. 3. Gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks. 4. Willing to participate in the study and provide signed informed consent. 5. Age 18 years or older. -Exclusion Criteria- 1. Women with skin lesions or allergies at the auricular acupressure site. 2. Women with gynecological disorders, such as uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, or endometriosis. 3. Women or newborns with severe postpartum complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage, infection, perineal hematoma, major neonatal diseases, or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. 4. Women with psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety or depression.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

perineal pain

Structured questionnaires were used to assess perineal pain and its impact on daily activities at 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours postpartum.

Time frame: At 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours postpartum

Secondary Outcomes

impact on daily life