Comparative Effects of Dry Cupping Therapy and Acupressure at Acupoint (BL23) on Postpartum Anxiety in Nulliparous Women

Background: Anxious disorders are very common psychiatry problems in pregnant women.  Today, in addition to the conventional medicine, complementary medicine (acupressure and cupping therapy) is also important in the treatment of painful syndromes. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dry cupping and acupressure application on postpartum anxiety in nulliparous women admitted to the Central Selection Shiraz (Hafez). Methods: In this clinical trial, 150 patients with collected with purposive sampling was recruited from the University Hospital of Hafez in 2012. Cupping therapy was performed four times a week for 20-15 minutes each time and also Acupressure within 20 minutes, according to the circular model. Spiel Berger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was completed and data was analyzed by the SPSS statistical software (version 16) and a repeated measure ANOVA was performed. Results: Mean postpartum anxiety in the cupping therapy group was 47.1 ± 5.8 at baseline visit and decreased to 42.4 ± 4.6 after the intervention. The difference between the intervention and control groups was statistically significant (P = 0.01) and in Acupressure group decreased from value of 46.8± 4.7 to 46.6 ± 4.4 after the intervention. However, this value was increased from 46.0± 5.2 to 50.2 ± 4.9 after the intervention in the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that postpartum anxiety, decreased in both interventional groups but in the cupping experimental group, the reduction was significant. Therefore, it is used as an effective treatment in reducing anxiety after childbirth