The Effects of Ice Massage on the LI۴ Acupressure Point for Labor Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‑analysis

Background & aim: Pain management during childbirth is a key component of midwifery care. Acupressure with ice may provide pain relief, but findings are inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of LI۴ massage with ice on labor pain.Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses۲۰۲۰ on articles published. PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April ۰۷, ۲۰۲۵. The potential for bias in both randomized and non-randomized trials was assessed utilizing the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB-۱) and Non-Randomized Studies (ROBINS-I). Data were analyzed using CMA software version ۲. Continuous outcomes were analyzed using MD or SMD, as appropriate, with ۹۵% CIs, and pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.Results: Of ۲۲۴ articles, ۱۲ studies were included in the systematic review, and ۹ were included in the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that LI۴ massage with ice can reduce labor pain compared with control group ۳۰ minutes (MD = −۱.۲۵, ۹۵% CI: −۱.۹۶ to −۰.۵۴, P-value<۰/۰۰۱), and ۶۰ minutes after intervention (SMD = −۱.۸۵, ۹۵% CI: −۲.۶۱ to −۱.۱۰, P-value<۰/۰۰۱). However, no significant reduction was observed immediately after the intervention (MD = −۱.۸۹, ۹۵% CI: −۴.۶۵ to ۰.۸۷, P-value = ۰.۱۷۹).Conclusion: Based on the results, the acupressure point (LI۴) with ice significantly relieved labor pain. Health care providers, especially midwives, can perform this procedure at a hospital or maternity clinic due to its cost-effectiveness and simplicity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acupressure ، Ice massage ، Hegu (LI۴) point ، Labor pain ، Complementary therapy