Characteristics of a U.S. Obstetric Acupuncture Clinic Patient Sample

Abstract

Most U.S.-based studies on acupuncture treatment for obstetric concerns published in mainstream health journals have been randomized controlled trials, widely considered the "gold standard" for clinical research. However, whether those studies adequately reflect the characteristics and treatment concerns of actual treatment users is as yet unknown. Provide a reference point for advancing U.S. obstetric acupuncture research by (1) describing background and relevant treatment characteristics of an obstetric acupuncture clinic sample and (2) reviewing those characteristics in relationship to existing U.S.-based studies. Descriptive follow-up involving a patient-completed internet survey; chief treatment concern and number of treatment sessions were validated against patient records. Of 265 former clinic patients, 137 (51.7%) completed the internet survey. Patient referral source and demographics; primary and secondary treatment concerns; number of treatment sessions; and planned birth attendant and setting. The clinic sample's demographics generally aligned with those in existing U.S. studies. However, the chief concern of most clinic patients was labor facilitation compared to two of the seven U.S.-based publications. Clinic patients learned about acupuncture through midwives and family/friends; 28% planned out-of-hospital birth. This first study on a U.S. obstetric acupuncture clinic sample suggests that an obstetric acupuncture research agenda relevant to current treatment users should increase focus on labor facilitation, involve samples from a wider range of maternal care settings, and continue outreach to ethnic minorities.