EA is simple, easy to operate and low-cost non-pharmacologic method without any adverse effects. When combined with spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PSEA), electroacupuncture (EA) can enhance the analgesic effect and reduce complications. 

The present study was conducted to differentiate between the pain scores and rates of complications in the labor analgesia process between the CSEA and PSEA group.

One hundred and twenty-seven participants were recruited for this research. The participants were randomized into two groups based on the anesthetic method used: CSEA with PCEA with EA group (group 1), CSEA with PCEA group (group 2). Group 1 was first treated with CSEA and PCEA, then EA by HANS-200A device for 25 min whereas group 2 was treated only by CSEA and PCEA. VAS served as the primary outcome for labor pain. The rate of complications, use of oxytocin, delivery mode, durations of three stages, cord blood pH and neonatus Apgar score were considered under secondary outcomes.

The VAS scores of group 1 were lower than group 2 at the five point-in-times after labor analgesia. The usage of oxytocin, the rates of fever and urinary retention were lower in group 1 as compared with group 2. Group 1 also showed shorter durations of cervical dilation from 3 to 10 cm and third stage than group 2.

The results of the present study deduced that electropuncture might be helpful in reducing labor pain and complication rates in CSEA with PCEA labor analgesia process.