IRCT2013061310657N2 IRCT 2015-07-26 Vice chancellor for research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Efficacy of conducting acupuncture on intensity and duration of labor pain Preterm delivery A randomized clinical trial on comparison of efficacy of LI-4 and SP-6 acupuncture points and Sham acupuncture on intensity and duration of labor pain in pregnant women 2011-10-01 anticipated 63 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/11099 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Single blinded, Placebo: Used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Treatment. N/A labour pain. Intervention 1: Intervention1: The acupuncture was conducted in intervention group after initiation of the active phase of labor defined by cervical dilatation of at least 4 centimeters and uterine contractions at least 3, each lasting for more than 40 seconds within 10 minutes. Intervention was done for 20 minutes in LI-4 and SP-6 points using C-type acupuncture needles (Seirin GMBH, Neu-Isenburg, Germany). SP-6 point is located four finger width above the medial malleolus on the posterior border of the tibia. LI-4 point is located on the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. Intervention was performed until patient reported sensation of tingling, numbness or warmth, and then rotated clock-wise every 5 minutes. Intervention 2: Intervention 2: In the control group, sham acupuncture was performed by superficial contact of needles in the mentioned points (LI4 and Sp6).