The cutaneous sympathetic blockade associated with labour epidural analgesia: a quasi-experimental study conducted during labour and after delivery
Authors' conclusion
Labour epidural analgesia can inhibit cholinergic sympathetic outflow to 90% of the body surface.
Study context
- Population
- Women receiving labour epidural analgesia (mean age 33 yr [range 21–48])each assessed at both visits
- Participants
- 20 women
- Comparison
- Labour epidural analgesia vs control
- Outcome
- Cutaneous sympathetic skin responses to auditory stimuli in upper and lower limbs: sudomotor response (cholinergic function; hand, foot) and vasomotor response (noradrenergic function; finger, toe)
Methodological detailswithin-subject comparison during labour and after delivery
- Within-subject comparison during labour and after delivery
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Sudomotor skin response amplitude, hand
P = 0.013
Further findings
Sudomotor skin response amplitude, foot
P < 0.001
Median
| Outcome | Epidural | Control | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vasomotor skin response reduction rate, toe | 6.3% (range 0.0–41.8) | 18.2% (range 0.0–53.3) | P < 0.001 |
| Vasomotor skin response reduction rate, fingerNot different between visits | 7.9% (range 0.0–29.9) | 5.0% (range 0.0–29.8) | P = 0.242 |
Original publication
The cutaneous sympathetic blockade associated with labour epidural analgesia: a quasi-experimental study conducted during labour and after delivery. Br J Anaesth. Published 9 September 2025. doi:10.
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