Labor pain and early mood findings favor acupressure with music
Combined treatment lowered labor pain and early postpartum depression measures, but the later assessment found no significant difference in depression rates.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Among women preparing for vaginal delivery, ear acupressure combined with five-element music therapy lowered reported labor pain compared with routine care. Depression scores and scale-defined depression rates were also lower soon after birth. The later assessment did not detect a difference in depression rates, so the findings do not establish a lasting mood benefit.
Depression classifications relied on questionnaire scores; the abstract omits the thresholds. The combined intervention also prevents separating the contribution of acupressure from music.
What researchers found
EPDS-defined postpartum depression
Combined treatment versus routine care at 1 week postpartum; P = 0.012.
Pain and mood
Participants reported lower pain scores with the combined program during labor. Researchers also found lower depression questionnaire scores and fewer depression classifications at the early postpartum assessment. Newborn outcomes and cesarean rates during labor were described as similar.
Later follow-up
At 6 weeks postpartum, depression rates did not differ significantly between groups. This does not show that the approaches were equivalent, and the abstract provides no effect estimate for that comparison.
The original publication
Auricular acupressure with five-element music therapy reduces labor pain and short-term postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial.
Sun W, Gong J, Wang X et al.
J Psychiatr Res · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41687567
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.