Investigating the simultaneous effect of TENS electrical stimulation at points LI۴ and SP۶, and premature rupture of the amniotic sac, on the progress of labor in primiparous women: A clinical trial

Background and Objective: The lack of progress during labor can cause fear and anxiety, especially in first-time mothers. This can lead to stalled labor and increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery. Study on how premature rupture of amniotic sac affects labor progress in primiparous women by investigating nerve movement in LI۴ and SP۶ areas.Methods: This clinical trial, conducted between ۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۳ at Mousavi Zanjan Hospital, involved ۱۲۴ primiparous women who were selected through a simple random sampling method (lottery). The women were divided into three groups of ۴۲ people each, which included LI۴, SP۶, and control groups. The progress of labor was monitored and recorded in the labor sheet based on clinical examinations. The collected data was analyzed, and a significance level of p<۰.۰۵ was considered.Results: In terms of background factors such as residence, education, occupation of mother and wife, decision to get pregnant and participation in birth preparation classes, there was no significant difference observed. (p-value > ۰.۰۵). During the initial four hours, there was no statistically significant difference observed between the three groups in regards to the condition of the water bag (p-value>۰.۰۵). However, from the fifth hour onwards, there was a significant difference observed between the groups (p-value<۰.۰۰۱). The study also observed a statistically significant difference in the labor progress rate among the three groups for ۵ hours and later (p-value < ۰.۰۵). The duration of labor progress in the LI۴ group was found to be significantly shorter (۵ hours and ۱۵ minutes) than in the SP۶ group and the control group (۶ hours and ۳۰ minutes) (p-value < ۰.۰۰۳).Conclusion: The use of TENS in specific acupressure points during rupture of the water sac can shorten labor, particularly in point LI۴.

کلیدواژه ها:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ، Labor duration ، SP۶ acupoint ، LI۴ acupoint