Examination of Acupuncture and Acupressure as an Integrative Treatment for Preeclampsia With Severe Features [ID: 1354672]

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed whether acupuncture (AQ) and acupressure (AP) in conjunction with routine care are associated with improved blood pressure control or obstetric outcomes in hospitalized preeclampsia patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective matched cohort study (2010–2020) of patients with preterm preeclampsia with severe features admitted for expectant management. Integrative medicine services including AQ or AP were offered to antepartum patients starting in 2010. Patients receiving AQ/AP were matched with controls who received only routine care. Matching criteria included gestational age on admission, maternal age, parity, multiple gestation, chronic hypertension, and other clinical features. Controls were eligible for matching if their pregnancy continued at least 12 hours after the matched case received their first AQ/AP treatment. RESULTS: Among 416 patients admitted for preeclampsia, 146 had AQ/AP treatment, of which 104 were matched to controls for a final sample of 208 patients. Mean gestational age at admission was 30.6 weeks. Mean latency period from admission to delivery was 9.6 days (±7.6) in the treatment group and 7.3 days (±7.5) in the control group ( P =.006). Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 12, 8, and 6 hours before and after the first treatment were not significantly different between the matched pairs. CONCLUSION: Among patients hospitalized for preeclampsia with severe features, AQ/AP treatment was associated with significant prolongation of the latency period from admission to delivery, but was not associated with changes in MAP over the 12–24 hours surrounding the first treatment.