Nurse-Led SP6 and LI4 Acupressure for Improving Labour Pain, Maternal Coping, and Intrapartum Maternal Comfort: A Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Guided by Swanson's Theory of Caring

BACKGROUND: Childbirth is a multidimensional experience involving physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Holistic nursing interventions such as acupressure may improve maternal well-being beyond pain relief, yet comparative evidence for SP6 (Sanyinjiao) and LI4 (Hegu) acupressure is limited. PURPOSE: To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of nurse-administered SP6 and LI4 acupressure on labour pain, maternal coping, and intrapartum maternal comfort among primiparous women. METHODS: In this three-arm pilot randomized controlled trial, 90 primiparous women were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to SP6 acupressure, LI4 acupressure, or routine intrapartum care (30/group). Acupressure was administered at 4, 6, and 8 cm cervical dilatation. Labour pain and coping were assessed repeatedly, and maternal comfort was measured once at 10 cm cervical dilatation. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Significant group, time, and group × time interaction effects were observed for labour pain and coping (all p < .001). Compared with LI4 acupressure and routine care, SP6 acupressure produced greater pain reduction, improved maternal coping, and higher intrapartum maternal comfort (all p < .001). DISCUSSION: Guided by Swanson's Theory of Caring, SP6 acupressure appears to be a feasible holistic nursing intervention that supports person-centred maternity care. Larger multicentre randomized controlled trials are warranted.