Acupuncture for perceived stress in pregnant women: an intervention study

A before-after intervention study, carried out in a primary health unit in Fortaleza-Ceará, with 56 pregnant women. The pregnant women underwent six acupuncture sessions, with two 30-minute sessions per week. Before the first session, an instrument to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data was applied. The Global Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) was applied weekly to monitor the progression of stress during treatment.

Results:

After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the scores of the following scale items: being upset, inability to control, nervousness, tiredness, anger, and inability to overcome stress. (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the score of the item control of situations (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the mean perceived stress of the initial session compared to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week sessions (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The use of acupuncture to treat stress during pregnancy reduced the stress perceived by pregnant women.

DESCRIPTORS
Pregnant Women; Psychological Distress; Acupuncture; Complementary Therapies; Obstetric Nursing

Variables	N	%
Age range
Up to 19 years	08	14.3
From 20 to 29 years old	33	58.9
30 years old or more	15	26.8
Level of education
Up to 09 years	13	23.2
From 10 to 12 years	25	44.6
13 years old or more	18	32.2
Origin
Capital	54	96.5
Inland city	02	3.5
Income (in minimum wages)
Up to 1	01	1.8
Between 1–2	25	44.6
Between 2–3	18	32.2
Between 3–4	06	10.7
More than 4	06	10.7
Type of union
With partner	45	80.4
With no partner	11	19.6
Occupation
Housewife	25	44.6
Work out	07	12.5
Student	07	12.5
Both	17	30.4
Gestational Age
Second trimester	24	42.8
Third trimester	32	57.2
Parity
Primiparous	31	55.4
Multiparous	25	44.6
Carrying out physical activity
Yes	8	14.3
No	48	85.7

Stress scale questions	Initial	1st week	2nd week	3rd week	p-value*
Items that decreased
(P1) Worries	2.22 ± 1.33	1.41 ± 1.33	1.59 ± 1.19	1.42 ± 1.29	0.002
P2: Inability to control	2.28 ± 1.31	1.36 ± 1.17	1.30 ± 1.17	1.55 ± 1.05	<0.001
P3: Nervousness	3.05 ± 0.98	1.93 ± 1.31	1.70 ± 1.11	1.62 ± 1.01	<0.001
P6: Tiredness	2.44 ± 1.11	1.71 ± 1.17	1.67 ± 1.25	1.27 ± 1.13	<0.001
P9: Anger	2.41 ± 1.29	1.73 ± 1.45	1.67 ± 1.44	1.27 ± 1.31	<0.001
P10: Inability to overcome stress	1.91 ± 1.35	1.47 ± 1.32	1.19 ± 1.15	0.86 ± 1.22	<0.001
Items that have not changed
P5: Capacity to control	2.04 ± 1.32	2.38 ± 1.33	2.11 ± 1.17	2.04 ± 1.08	0.538
Items that increased
P8: Control of situations	1.46 ± 1.14	2.24 ± 1.13	2.22 ± 1.03	1.93 ± 1.19	0.003
P7: Irritation control	2.02 ± 1.42	2.25 ± 1.36	2.43 ± 1.14	2.04 ± 1.27	0.361
P4: Confidence to face the problem	2.57 ± 1.23	2.68 ± 1.33	2.76 ± 1.09	2.65 ± 1.39	0.754

Reference period	Comparison period	Difference of Means	Standard error	p-value*	95% CI for the difference in means
Reference period	Comparison period	Difference of Means	Standard error	p-value*	Lower limit	Upper limit
Initial	1st week	3.21	0.79	0.002	0.97	5.45
	2nd week	3.70	0.99	0.005	0.88	6.50
	3rd week	6.14	1.08	<0.001	3.06	9.21
1st week	2nd week	0.48	0.72	1.000	–1.55	2.52
1st week	3rd week	2.93	1.02	0.046	0.04	5.82
2nd week	3rd week	2.45	0.98	0.110	–.33	5.22

Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Nicolau da Costa Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 1115, Rodolfo Teófilo 60430-160 – Fortaleza, CE, Brazil nickddacosta@gmail.com

Brasil

Brasil

Acupuncture for perceived stress in pregnant women: an intervention study* * Extracted from the dissertation “Efeitos da acupuntura no tratamento do estresse percebido em gestantes” Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, 2017.

Acupuntura en el estrés percibido en embarazadas: un estudio de intervención

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Method:

Results:

Conclusion:

Acupuncture for perceived stress in pregnant women: an intervention study^* * Extracted from the dissertation “Efeitos da acupuntura no tratamento do estresse percebido em gestantes” Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, 2017.