NCT07410949

Postpartum Acupressure Education and Breastfeeding Outcomes

Effect of Postpartum Acupressure Education on Breastfeeding Outcomes: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 360 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Nigde Omer Halisdemir University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether acupressure education provided to mothers within the first 48 hours postpartum improves exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months compared with standard postpartum care alone. Mothers in the intervention group will receive structured education on self-administered acupressure at selected points and will be encouraged to continue home-based practice, while the control group will receive standard breastfeeding support. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess breastfeeding continuation, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding quality, and breastfeeding-related outcomes.

Detailed description

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding up to 12 months are strongly associated with improved maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite widespread implementation of Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative practices, early postpartum challenges often compromise breastfeeding continuation. Scalable, low-cost, self-care-based interventions that enhance maternal confidence and perceived control may support sustained breastfeeding. This study is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effectiveness of postpartum acupressure education as an adjunct to standard breastfeeding care. Eligible mothers will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either an acupressure education plus standard care group or a standard care-only group. Acupressure education will include face-to-face instruction, printed visual materials, and a short instructional video, focusing on the acupoints CV17 (Shanzhong), ST18 (Rugen), SI1 (Shaoze), ST36 (Zusanli), and SP6 (Sanyinjiao). The primary outcome is the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum, defined according to World Health Organization criteria. Secondary outcomes include any breastfeeding at 12 months, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding quality, timing of complementary feeding introduction, breastfeeding-related adverse events, and maternal satisfaction. Analyses will be conducted using an intention-to-treat approach.

Conditions

• Breastfeeding
• Lactation
• Postpartum Period

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Postpartum Acupressure Education Program	Structured education on self-administered acupressure provided within 48 hours postpartum, including face-to-face instruction, printed visual materials, and a short instructional video. Participants are instructed to apply acupressure at specified points twice daily at home according to the study protocol.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-15
• Primary completion: 2027-02-15
• Completion: 2027-02-15
• First posted: 2026-02-13
• Last updated: 2026-02-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)