Who Come to Obstetric Acupuncture Clinic?

Who Come to Obstetric Acupuncture Clinics?

Most U.S.-based studies on acupuncture treatment for obstetric concerns published in mainstream health journals have been randomized controlled trials, widely considered the "gold standard" for clinical research. However, whether those studies adequately reflect the characteristics and treatment concerns of actual treatment users is as yet unknown.

A survey was conducted among 265 former clinic patients, 137 (51.7%) completed the internet survey. The result shows that the clinic sample's demographics generally aligned with those in existing U.S. studies. However, the chief concern of most clinic patients was labor facilitation compared to two of the seven U.S.-based publications. Clinic patients learned about acupuncture through midwives and family/friends; 28% planned out-of-hospital birth.

This research was published in the March-April 2014 issue Explore (NY).