Korean hand acupuncture for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: a feasibility study

Author(s): C. Clarkson - Pages: 36 - 41

Abstract

Despite approximately 20% of all pregnant women developing pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), very little literature has been published on interventional strategies, and there is a dearth of UK-based studies. Of the interventions that have been investigated to date, acupuncture has yielded some promising findings, although the effects of Korean hand acupuncture on PPGP remain unclear. In line with the UK Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions, any potential treatment should be subjected to feasibility testing prior to a definitive
randomized controlled trial (RCT). This three-phase feasibility study followed a mixed-methods paradigm, which was underpinned by pragmatism, and found that a definitive RCT would be feasible.
Keywords: feasibility study, Korean hand acupuncture, pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.