In the study effects of San-Yin-Jiao (SP6) acupressure on anxiety and pulse during labor, and on neonatal status were examined.

The design was a randomized controlled clinical trial with a double-blind method. Data were collected before (pre) and after (post) treatment using structured questionnaire, anxiety scale, pulse rate, umbilical vein pH and Apgar scores. The experimental group received SP6 acupressure for the duration of each uterine contraction over a period of 30 minutes, but the control group received SP6 touch.

The anxiety scores between the two groups increased, but the increase was less in the SP6 acupressure group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.019). Maternal pulse rate was not significantly different immediately after treatment (p=0.711), at 30 and at 60 minutes (p=0.140; p=0.108), but while the SP6 acupressure group had a stable pulse, the SP6 touch group showed an increased rate. There was no significant difference between the two groups for umbilical vein pH (p=0.124), and neonatal Apgar score at one and five minutes (p=0.387; p=0.979).

These findings strengthen the belief that SP-6 acupressure can be used to relieve anxiety during labor with no side effects to either mother or baby.