Evaluating the Effects of Red and Near-Infrared Photopuncture and Acupressure on First-Stage Labor Duration in Primiparous Women: A Clinical Trial Study

Background Labor duration is a key factor in determining pregnancy outcomes, and prolonged labor can lead to complications such as maternal exhaustion, infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and an increased need for cesarean delivery. This study aimed to assess the effect of LED light therapy compared to acupressure on the duration of the first stage of labor in primiparous women. Study Design This randomized clinical trial was carried out in hospitals in Mashhad, Iran, in 2024 and included 81 primiparous women who met the inclusion criteria, such as singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation, and a gestational age of 37–42 weeks, with no obstetric complications. LED photopuncture was applied at three stages of cervical dilation (4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 cm) for 30 minutes at the Sanyinjiao and Hugo points, while acupressure was administered at the same points for 20 minutes during contractions. The duration of the first, second, and third stages of labor was recorded. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS software (version 26). Results The results showed that the mean duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shorter in the LED light therapy group compared to the acupressure group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the LED group experienced a significant reduction compared to the acupressure group in the duration of the second (p = 0.0052) and third stages (p = 0.0027). The LED group also reduced the need for oxytocin, a higher frequency of uterine contractions, and a longer contraction duration, but no significant difference in contraction intensity was observed between the two groups. Conclusion LED photopuncture is a non-invasive intervention that effectively shortens labor duration without adverse effects on fetal well-being. It can be implemented in clinical practice to promote natural labor progression and reduce the need for medical interventions. Trial registration: The clinical trial was registered on 30.8.2023, and the registration code is: IRCT20230725058918N1.