Correction of Breech Presentation with Moxibustion and Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Liao J-A, Shao S-C, Chang C-T, Chai PY-C, Owang K-L, Huang T-H, Yang C-H, Lee T-J, Chen Y-C · Healthcare · 2021 May 22

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion and acupuncture in correcting breech presentation.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that moxibustion therapy has positive effects on correcting breech presentation, especially in the Asian population.

Critical Appraisal

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Insights

Our updated systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that moxibustion has a positive effect on correcting breech presentation.

Our study found that acupuncture-type interventions (including moxibustion, acupuncture, and moxibustion plus acupuncture) at BL67 increase the frequency of cephalic presentation at birth. Moxibustion seemed to be more effective in correcting non-vertex presentation in the Asian population than in the non-Asian population. Our study included only RCTs that were eligible and up-to-date. To minimalize the impact of potential bias, a sensitivity analysis was performed; such an analysis was not reported as being conducted in most previous studies. After comparing the net effects of different acupuncture-type interventions before and after sensitivity analysis, a positive effect on correcting breech presentation, particularly with moxibustion alone or in combination with acupuncture, is consistent. Our findings provide robust support of the effectiveness of moxibustion on correcting breech presentation.