NCT02392988

Brief Summary

In recent years, it is accepted to induce birth at week 41 in order to reduce the risk in surplus pregnancies. It was found that after 41 weeks, there is a significant increase in pregnancy complications including meconium liquor, shoulder dystocia and fetal death in uterus. Induction at 41 weeks was found to reduce the risk of complications described above, without taking the risk of cesarean section and, therefore, the recommendation of the Israel Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, is to induce birth for women who completed 41 weeks of pregnancy. Induction is performed mechanically by entering a balloon to the cervix or by medicated prostaglandins and later, intravenous Pitocin to most women. The process takes two to three days with about 60-70% success rate. In recent years there has been a growing awareness to use natural methods to start labor. Many women tend to turn to natural medicine in order to reduce the need for conventional drugs to start labor. Given the lack of research on the issue and considering the rising demand of the involvement of alternative medicine in labor induction process, the investigators decided to carry out research on this subject.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
600

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2015

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 2, 2015

Completed
17 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 19, 2015

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 1, 2015

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2017

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2018

Completed
Last Updated

March 19, 2015

Status Verified

February 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

March 2, 2015

Last Update Submit

March 18, 2015

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • The number of women who received birth induction after week 41

    three weeks

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Number of women who had SROM (spontaneous rupture of membranes) or AROM (artificial rupture of membranes).

    three weeks

  • Duration of labour

    three weeks

  • Time past from treatment (acupuncture vs. placebo) till labour

    three weeks

  • Hg before and after labour

    three weeks

  • Number of women who received epidural

    three weeks

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Group receives sham treatment

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Sham treatment will be given on points on the back, points that are not acupuncture points, so that the patient will not be able to know whether she is receiving sham treatment or a real treatment. The treatment will be every 48-72 hours, a maximum of three treatments.

Other: Placebo Comparator

Group receives acupuncture treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

The women in this group will receive acupuncture treatment every 48-72 hours, a maximum of three treatments.

Other: acupuncture treatment

Group doesn't receive any treatment

NO INTERVENTION

The women in this group will come for a follow-up check a week later, unless a spontaneous birth will develop.

Interventions

acupuncture treatment

Group receives acupuncture treatment

Placebo Comparator

Group receives sham treatment

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Women past their due date (week 40)
  • Proper dating of pregnancy
  • Uncomplicated pregnancy
  • Normal evaluation as part of the mother and fetus routine examination on week 40
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • No contraindication for vaginal birth
  • No significant signs of birth

You may not qualify if:

  • Past Cesarean Section
  • Women who have undergone acupuncture treatment during pregnancy
  • Women who did not undergo separation membranes

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Meir Medial Center

Kfar Saba, Israel

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pregnancy, Prolonged

Interventions

Acupuncture Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pregnancy ComplicationsFemale Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy ComplicationsUrogenital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary TherapiesTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • Tal Biron-Shental, MD

    Meir Medical Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Liat Edry, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 2, 2015

First Posted

March 19, 2015

Study Start

May 1, 2015

Primary Completion

May 1, 2017

Study Completion

May 1, 2018

Last Updated

March 19, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-02

Locations