Yintang Acupressure During Labor in Primiparous Women

This randomized controlled study evaluated whether acupressure applied to the Yintang point during labor affects labor duration, pain, anxiety, and childbirth satisfaction in primiparous women. A total of 104 women were randomly assigned to either the Yintang acupressure group or the sham light-touch control group, with 52 participants in each group. Participants in the intervention group received five acupressure sessions during labor and the early postpartum period. Participants in the control group received routine midwifery care and light touch at a non-therapeutic forehead location. Labor duration, pain intensity, anxiety, and childbirth satisfaction were compared between the groups.

* Primiparous women * Aged 18 years or older * In the active phase of labor with cervical dilation of 5-6 cm at enrollment * Term singleton pregnancy * Fetus in cephalic presentation * No known fetal congenital anomaly * Intact and healthy skin at the forehead area where acupressure or sham light touch will be applied * Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Known sensitivity or intolerance to acupressure or touch at the application site * Use of pharmacological pain-control methods before enrollment, including analgesics, sedatives, or epidural analgesia * High-risk pregnancy, including preeclampsia or diabetes * History of a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder * Signs of fetal distress