Pain relief by applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on acupuncture points during the first stage of labor: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

METHODS: Healthy full-term parturients in the active phase of first-stage labor were randomly assigned to either TENS on four acupuncture points (n=52) or the TENS placebo (n=53). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain before and 30 and 60 min after treatment. The primary outcome was the rate of VAS score decrease in each group. A questionnaire was given at 24h post-partum to evaluate the satisfaction of the pain relieving method and the willingness to have the same treatment again. Mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes were measured as secondary variables. RESULTS: The TENS group experienced greater VAS score reduction than the TENS placebo group. Willingness to use the same analgesic method for a future childbirth was also significantly different.