At a glance
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Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure Combined With Basic Care for Blocked Milk Ducts After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Auricular Acupressure, Sham Auricular Acupressure, and 1 other intervention for Breast Engorgement and Lactation Disorders. Completed, enrolled 72 participants across 1 site.
Signals
Detailed Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether auricular acupressure combined with basic care can improve symptoms in postpartum women with blocked milk ducts after cesarean delivery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does auricular acupressure combined with basic care reduce breast pain more effectively than basic care alone? * Does the combined approach improve the severity of milk duct blockage compared with basic care alone? * What adverse effects may occur in participants receiving auricular acupressure? Researchers will compare auricular acupressure combined with basic care to sham auricular acupressure plus basic care to determine whether the intervention provides additional benefits. Participants will: * Receive auricular acupressure (or sham auricular acupressure at non-therapeutic ear points) for 3 days. * Be instructed to perform basic breast care under the supervision of midwives three times daily for 3 days. * Record daily activities in monitoring forms, including breastfeeding times, and whether they performed warm compresses and breast massage.
Study Details
Timeline
Arms & Interventions
In addition to standard basic breast care, participants will receive ear acupressure treatment using ear acupressure beads applied to therapeutic points on the ear corresponding to the affected breast, for three consecutive days.
Participants will receive sham auricular acupressure using auricular pellets applied to non-therapeutic ear points, along with the same standardized basic breast care, for 3 consecutive days.
Interventions
Auricular acupressure involves stimulation of specific ear acupoints corresponding to body organs. In this study, semi-permanent auricular needles (auricular pellets) will be applied to 4 therapeutic acupoints: Breast AH11, Shenmen TF4, Endocrine CO18, Central Rim AT2-4 on the ear ipsilateral to the affected breast. Needles will be retained for 3 days to provide continuous stimulation. Participants will be prompted to gently press the points 3 times daily. All procedures will be performed by a licensed traditional medicine physician following standardized protocols.
Sham auricular acupressure will be performed using semi-permanent auricular needles applied to 4 non-therapeutic ear points: Wrist SF2, Jaw LO3, Urethra HX3, Outer Nose TF1-2) unrelated to the pathophysiology of blocked milk ducts. The procedure, duration (3 days), and participant instructions will be identical to the active intervention to maintain blinding. All procedures will be performed by a licensed traditional medicine physician.
Standardized basic breast care includes frequent breastfeeding (at least 8 times per day or milk expression if needed), gentle breast massage during feeding, and warm compresses (40-42°C for 10 minutes before feeding). Participants will be instructed and supervised by trained midwives three times daily and perform self-care at other times. Adherence will be recorded using monitoring forms.