Evaluation of the efficacy of acupressure for morning sickness symptom relief using changes in autonomic nerve activity before and after stimulation as an indicator

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11081
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Hyogo University (2021-2022); Akita University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Shinohara Hitomi 兵庫大学, 看護学研究科, 教授 (80319996)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 兒玉 英也 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (30195747)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: つわり / 自律神経活動 / 精神的健康度 / 妊婦 / 経穴刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between psychological factors and the severity of morning sickness and to assess the effects of acupuncture stimulation on symptoms of morning sickness. Pregnant women with severe morning sickness had worse mental health and sleep quality, and higher parasympathetic activity than those without severe morning sickness than those without severe morning sickness. Anxiety and insomnia were identified as predictors of the severity of morning sickness. Among women with severe symptoms, those with high parasympathetic activity were more likely to experience early relief from morning sickness. Of the group that received acupressure, 70% reported benefits; however, morning sickness index, RINVR (index of nausea, vomiting, and emesis), and mental status were not significantly different to those in the group that did not received acupressure, suggesting only temporary benefits.

Free Research Field

母性看護

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的意義は、つわりの予後に精神健康度と安静時の心拍変動が関連していることを明らかにしたこと、心理的因子は、つわりの発症よりもつわりの経過と予後に影響を与える可能性を示したことである。社会的意義は、つわりが重症の妊婦には、精神健康度や身体的症状に注意を向け、不安の軽減に向けたサポートや情動をセルフコントロールできる働きかけの重要性を示した点、経穴刺激は一時的ではあるがつわりに効果があることを示した点である。