The effect of pestle acupuncture for patients with lactation insufficiency after cesarean section: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Cesarean section is a common operation in obstetrics, and the incidence of insufficient breast milk is high in parturients undergoing cesarean section. Studies have shown that acupuncture or massage at related acupoints can promote the secretion and excretion of milk. These external treatments are quick, safe, and effective. On the other hand, they can avoid the potential risk of changes in milk composition that may be caused by the use of drugs. Pestle needle therapy is a new branch of traditional acupuncture, and pestle needle operation does not need to break the skin. The pestle needle has good clinical efficacy and safety in cervical spondylosis, insomnia, fatigue, depression, and so on, but few studies have focused on the effect of pestle acupuncture for patients with lactation insufficiency after cesarean section. This study aims to determine whether pestle needle therapy is effective and safe in the treatment of postpartum milk deficiency.

Methods: This is a 2 parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial.128 patients with lactation insufficient after cesarean section will be recruited and randomly divided into control group and the pestle needle group in a 1:1 ratio. The control group will receive routine nursing care of milk deficiency. In the pestle needle group, pestle needles will be used to operate on the acupoints such as bilateral Shao ze (S11), bilateral Ru gen (ST18), Dan zhong (DU14), 8 array acupoints of Shen dao (DU11) and so on. It will be operated once a day for 5 days. The primary outcomes are milk yield, degree of breastfilling, degree of milk siltation and other milk deficiency symptom, and serum prolactin. Secondary outcomes include syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine, such as facial expression, fatigue, loss of appetite, and so on.

Discussion: Pestle needle therapy based on acupoint and meridian theory may increase milk secretion and excretion, which will provide a new intervention means to promote breastfeeding and have great significance to guide clinical treatment.

Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000039752.