Acupressure for postoperative pain after cesarean delivery: A meta-analysis.
Lisa Cuiyan, Bin Shen, Lihua Xiao
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled nine randomized controlled trials involving 712 postpartum women to assess acupressure for pain after cesarean delivery. Compared with sham or standard care, acupressure was associated with lower pain intensity at each assessed interval: mean difference (MD) = -1.39 (95% CI -1.96 to -0.83) at 0-2 h, -0.99 (95% CI -1.53 to -0.45) at 3-6 h, and -1.27 (95% CI -1.64 to -0.90) at 7-24 h. The authors judged the evidence low certainty; adverse-event reporting was limited.
Key findings
- At 0-2 h postoperatively, pain favored acupressure: MD = -1.39 (95% CI -1.96 to -0.83; I 2 = 91.5%).
- At 3-6 h, pain favored acupressure: MD = -0.99 (95% CI -1.53 to -0.45; I 2 = 77.9%).
- At 7-24 h, pain favored acupressure: MD = -1.27 (95% CI -1.64 to -0.90; I 2 = 13.6%).
- No serious adverse events were reported, but adverse-event reporting was limited; three trials described minor transient bruising or tenderness.
Why it matters
Acute pain control after cesarean delivery is relevant to maternal recovery. The pooled findings suggest acupressure could contribute to pain relief, but substantial heterogeneity at earlier time points and low certainty limit confidence in the size and consistency of benefit. Limited safety reporting also means the absence of reported serious events should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The review rated the evidence as low certainty. Results were heterogeneous at 0-2 h and 3-6 h, and adverse-event reporting was limited. The authors call for high-quality multicenter trials with standardized protocols.