Acupoint hot compress significantly improves postpartum depressive symptoms, particularly beneficial to high-risk patients with lower education levels, abnormal pregnancy appetite or sleep, and severe postpartum contractions.
The researchers conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 1,085 participants, with 537 receiving acupoint hot compress treatment while 548 received routine postpartum care. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, measured 76.5 hours after delivery. With categories of low-risk and high-risk for postpartum depression based on the EPDS scores, a secondary analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of acupoint hot compression on individuals within these groups.
Results showed that acupoint hot compress significantly improved postpartum depressive symptoms, especially in high-risk patients with lower education levels, abnormal pregnancy appetite or sleep, and severe postpartum contractions. Education level, labor induction, postpartum uterine contraction pain intensity, sleep, and appetite during pregnancy were found to significantly impact postpartum depressive symptoms, highlighting the potential role of these factors in PPD risk. The researchers concluded that acupoint hot compress is a non-invasive intervention with minimal side effects but significant potential for improving postpartum depression symptoms.
