Patient Expectations of Acupuncture in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Expectations for treatment have been associated with outcomes. Expectations in acupuncture treatment have rarely been addressed, and due to the unique concerns of pregnancy and childbirth, obstetric patients merit special attention. PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE: Assess treatment expectations of acupuncture clinic patients treated for obstetric and related concerns. METHODS/DESIGN: Descriptive follow-up involving a patient-completed survey; chief treatment concern and number of treatment sessions were validated against patient records. PARTICIPANTS: Of 265 former clinic patients, 137 (51.7%) completed the internet survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported demographic variables; responses to open-ended questions on treatment expectations; general treatment variables. RESULTS: Using standard qualitative data analytic strategies, we identified five major treatment expectations, for example, affecting labor and delivery, benefiting the whole system, and treating specific symptoms. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective method and recall bias may have influenced reported expectations. CONCLUSION: Obstetric acupuncture patients' expectations overlap with other subgroups in terms of symptom treatment. They also indicate a distinct interest in taking an active role in childbirth and in replacing conventional interventions, warranting further inquiry into obstetric acupuncture effects and safety in childbearing women.