Effects of acupoint stimulation for postoperative analgesia after Cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
Acupoint stimulation appears to provide small magnitudes of pain reduction after Cesarean delivery compared with both standard care and sham interventions.
Study context
- Population
- Parturients with postoperative pain after elective Cesarean delivery
- Participants
- 2,183 participants · 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Acupoint stimulation vs sham stimulation or control
- Outcome
- Postoperative pain scores
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model, RoB 2.0 risk of bias, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) certainty assessment
- Random-effects model
- RoB 2.0 risk of bias
- GRADE certainty assessment
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pain scores
MD (95% CI)
Acupoint stimulation vs Sham stimulationwithin 6 hr
−0.24(−0.44 to −0.03)
Acupoint stimulation vs Sham stimulation6-12 hr
−0.65(−1.09 to −0.20)
Acupoint stimulation vs Sham stimulation12-24 hr
−0.58(−0.93 to −0.23)
Acupoint stimulation vs Sham stimulation24-48 hr
−0.44(−0.88 to −0.01)
Acupoint stimulation vs Controlwithin 6 hr
−0.33(−0.52 to −0.15)
Acupoint stimulation vs Control6-12 hr
−0.30(−0.43 to −0.17)
Acupoint stimulation vs Control12-24 hr
−0.53(−0.79 to −0.28)
Acupoint stimulation vs Control24-48 hr
−0.24(−0.44 to −0.03)
Original publication
Effects of acupoint stimulation for postoperative analgesia after Cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Can J Anaesth. Published 30 June 2026. doi:10.
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