Postpartum Acupressure Education and Breastfeeding Outcomes

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07410949

Nigde Omer Halisdemir University360 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether acupressure education provided to mothers within the first 48 hours postpartum improves exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months compared with standard postpartum care alone. Mothers in the intervention group will receive structured education on self-administered acupressure at selected points and will be encouraged to continue home-based practice, while the control group will receive standard breastfeeding support. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess breastfeeding continuation, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding quality, and breastfeeding-related outcomes.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 12 months are strongly associated with improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite widespread implementation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative practices, early postpartum challenges often compromise breastfeeding continuation. Scalable, low-cost, self-care-based interventions that enhance maternal confidence and perceived control may support sustained breastfeeding. This study is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effectiveness of postpartum acupressure education as an adjunct to standard breastfeeding care. Eligible mothers will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an acupressure education plus standard care group or a standard care-only group. Acupressure education will include face-to-face instruction, printed visual materials, and a short instructional video, focusing on the acupoints CV17 (Shanzhong), ST18 (Rugen), SI1 (Shaoze), ST36 (Zusanli), and SP6 (Sanyinjiao). The primary outcome is the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum, defined according to World Health Organization criteria. Secondary outcomes include any breastfeeding at 12 months, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding quality, timing of complementary feeding introduction, breastfeeding-related adverse events, and maternal satisfaction. Analyses will be conducted using an intention-to-treat approach.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 45 years * Term singleton birth (≥37 weeks of gestation) * ≤48 hours postpartum at the time of enrollment * Intention to breastfeed * Ability to communicate in Turkish * Access to a smartphone for educational materials and follow-up reminders * Willingness to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to breastfeeding (e.g., infant galactosemia) * Severe neonatal condition preventing breastfeeding * Severe maternal medical or psychiatric condition interfering with breastfeeding * Current opioid, alcohol, or substance dependence * Multiple gestation pregnancy * Severe breast injury or condition within the first 72 hours postpartum preventing breastfeeding

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months postpartum

Proportion of participants exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum, assessed by maternal self-report using 24-hour recall with additional validation questions, consistent with World Health Organization definitions.

Time frame: At 6 months postpartum

Secondary Outcomes

Any breastfeeding rate at 12 months postpartum

Proportion of participants providing any breast milk at 12 months postpartum.

Time frame: At 12 months postpartum

Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) score

Total score on the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). The scale consists of 14 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5), yielding a total score ranging from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Time frame: Baseline (≤48 hours postpartum), 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum

Breastfeeding quality score (LATCH)

Breastfeeding quality assessed using the LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool. The LATCH score consists of 5 components (Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, Hold), each rated from 0 to 2, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate better breastfeeding performance.

Time frame: Baseline (≤48 hours postpartum) and 1 month postpartum

Maternal breastfeeding satisfaction score

Maternal self-reported satisfaction with the breastfeeding experience, assessed using a single-item numeric rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate greater breastfeeding satisfaction.

Time frame: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum

Time to introduction of complementary feeding

Time from birth to first introduction of any food or liquid other than breast milk, as reported by the mother.

Time frame: From birth up to 12 months postpartum

Bottle or pacifier use

Maternal report of any bottle feeding and/or pacifier use by the infant.

Time frame: 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postpartum

Breastfeeding-related adverse events

Incidence of mastitis, plugged ducts, and breastfeeding-related healthcare visits.

Time frame: From baseline through 12 months postpartum

Postpartum Acupressure Education and Breastfeeding Outcomes

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts