Postpartum Acupressure Education and Breastfeeding Outcomes

NCT07410949 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 22504254-050.04-18
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 360
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

Breastfeeding; Lactation; Postpartum Period

Keywords

Acupressure; Postpartum; Exclusive breastfeeding; Breastfeeding continuation; Breastfeeding self-efficacy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months postpartum

  Proportion of participants exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum, assessed by maternal self-report using 24-hour recall with additional validation questions, consistent with World Health Organization definitions.

  At 6 months postpartum

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Any breastfeeding rate at 12 months postpartum

  At 12 months postpartum

• Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) score

  Baseline (≤48 hours postpartum), 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum

• Breastfeeding quality score (LATCH)

  Baseline (≤48 hours postpartum) and 1 month postpartum

• Maternal breastfeeding satisfaction score

  1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum

• Time to introduction of complementary feeding

  From birth up to 12 months postpartum

Study Arms (2)

Acupressure Education Plus Standard Care

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive standard postpartum breastfeeding care in addition to structured education on self-administered acupressure. Acupressure education is provided within 48 hours postpartum and includes face-to-face instruction, printed visual materials, and a short instructional video. Participants are instructed to apply acupressure at the specified points twice daily at home throughout the postpartum period, according to the study protocol.

Other: Postpartum Acupressure Education Program

Standard Care Alone

NO INTERVENTION

Participants receive routine postpartum breastfeeding care and counseling according to institutional Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative practices. No acupressure education, materials, or reminders are provided.

Interventions

Postpartum Acupressure Education Program OTHER

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.

Acupressure Education Plus Standard Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 to 45 years
• Term singleton birth (≥37 weeks of gestation)
• ≤48 hours postpartum at the time of enrollment
• Intention to breastfeed
• Ability to communicate in Turkish
• Access to a smartphone for educational materials and follow-up reminders
• Willingness to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindications to breastfeeding (e.g., infant galactosemia)
• Severe neonatal condition preventing breastfeeding
• Severe maternal medical or psychiatric condition interfering with breastfeeding
• Current opioid, alcohol, or substance dependence
• Multiple gestation pregnancy
• Severe breast injury or condition within the first 72 hours postpartum preventing breastfeeding

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nigde Omer Halisdemir University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital

Niğde, Merkez, 51240, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+905233646954; drpinarerdogan@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors and the statistician will be blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associated Professor

Model Details: This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with individual allocation in a 1:1 ratio. Participants are randomized within 48 hours postpartum to receive either postpartum acupressure education in addition to standard breastfeeding care or standard breastfeeding care alone. There is no crossover between study arms, and all participants are followed prospectively for 12 months after delivery. Outcome assessors and the statistician are blinded to group allocation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 7, 2026
• First Posted: February 13, 2026
• Study Start: February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 15, 2027
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)