Does Acupuncture Have a Place as an Adjunct Treatment During Pregnancy? A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews

Abstract

Interest is growing in the use of acupuncture to treat some complaints during pregnancy and childbirth, and evidence is beginning to consolidate that acupuncture may assist with the management of some complaints during pregnancy. However, definitive conclusions about its effectiveness cannot be reached and further research is justified.

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“…Of the 1% of past year users, 52% were women (Burke, Upchurch, Dye, & Chyu, 2006). However, patterns of acupuncture use are not yet well understood (Smith & Cochrane, 2009). …”

“…Smith and Cochrane (2009) conducted a systematic review of studies on acupuncture treatment during the perinatal period to treat nausea, emotional distress, back pain, labor pain, and breech presentation. This review determined that evidence supporting the use of acupuncture during pregnancy varied by the indication, with strongest evidence for the benefit of acupuncture or acupressure in treating for pregnancy-related nausea.…”

“…Compared to the combined control groups, the acupuncture for depression intervention group reported a greater decrease in depressive symptoms and a greater response rate, as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Smith and Cochrane (2009) also concluded that the quality of research on acupuncture appears to be improving. In designing quality research studies on acupuncture, finding a suitable control for acupuncture is an often-cited challenge (Smith & Cochrane, 2009;.…”

“…Smith and Cochrane (2009) also concluded that the quality of research on acupuncture appears to be improving. In designing quality research studies on acupuncture, finding a suitable control for acupuncture is an often-cited challenge (Smith & Cochrane, 2009;. Since findings from some controlled trials have found insufficient evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture when compared to sham or control acupuncture, some have attributed any reported acupuncture findings to a placebo effect (Smith & Cochrane, 2009).…”

“…In designing quality research studies on acupuncture, finding a suitable control for acupuncture is an often-cited challenge (Smith & Cochrane, 2009;. Since findings from some controlled trials have found insufficient evidence supporting the efficacy of acupuncture when compared to sham or control acupuncture, some have attributed any reported acupuncture findings to a placebo effect (Smith & Cochrane, 2009). Notably, regardless of exact mechanisms, these treatments appear to be popular and safe when applied correctly .…”