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Correcting non cephalic presentation with moxibustion: Study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial in general practice
ISRCTN ISRCTN10634508
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
Public title Correcting non cephalic presentation with moxibustion: Study protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial in general practice
Scientific title
Acronym N/A
Serial number at source 0053/2007
Study hypothesis A sensorial stimulation with moxibustion in the outer corner of the little toenail (BL67) produce a greater proportion of version in non-cephalic presentations than the usual care.
Ethics approval Clinical Trials Ethics Committee of the Andalusian Regional Government. Date of approval: 26/02/2008 (ref: acta 02/08)
Study design Multi-centre randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms.
Countries of recruitment Spain
Disease/condition/study domain Non cephalic presentation of fetus
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. Pregnant women
2. Aged at least 18 years
3. Foetus is in a non cephalic position (diagnosed by physical examination and by echography)
4. Gestational age of 33-35 weeks (estimated by echography)
5. Normal foetal biometry
6. Those who have signed their informed consent
7. Have not previously received moxibustion treatment to correct the position of their unborn baby
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Twin pregnancy
2. Pelvic defect
3. Previous uterine surgery
4. Foetal malformation or chromosome disorder
5. Uterine malformation
6. Risk of premature birth (preterm uterine contractions and/or initial dilation or shortening of the cervix with a Bishop's score of 4)
7. Uterine fibromas >4 cm
8. Treatment with tocolytic drugs
9. Heart or kidney disease affecting the mother
10. Other pregnancy-related complications
11. Inability to complete the questionnaire or respond to the assessor's questions
Anticipated start date 01/04/2008
Anticipated end date 01/12/2010
Status of trial Ongoing
Patient information material Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Target number of participants 492
Interventions All the study subjects will be given various postural recommendations.

The participants will be randomly allocated to the following three arms:

Arm A: True moxibustion (TM): The first intervention will be made at the Healthcare Clinic. This session (overseen by the responsible midwife) will serve as a training session for the friend or relative who is to apply the remaining sessions at home. The mother should lie down, face up, wearing comfortable clothing and with no pressure at the waist from buttons, belt, etc. and with her legs slightly bent at the knee. Heat will be applied for 20 minutes, by means of a moxa cone (a herbal preparation with Artemisia vulgaris) at point BL67 (Zhiyin), close to the outer angle of the little toenail. The heat will be applied from a distance of 1.5-3 cm, to ensure that the subject notices a feeling of warmth in the zone, but without any pain or burning. The application site (right or left foot) will be alternated every 2 minutes, or more often if any untoward sensation of heat is felt. True moxibustion will be carried out once a day for two weeks, or until cephalic version occurs.

Arm B: False/sham moxibustion (SM): This procedure will be identical to that applied to the TM group except that the point stimulated will be a non-active one according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, point SP1 (Yinbai), close to the inner angle of the big toenail. False moxibustion will be carried out once a day for two weeks, or until cephalic version occurs.

Arm C: Control group, under observation (CG): The subjects in this group will receive the standard treatment, in accordance with the Andalusian Healthcare System Treatment Guide.
Primary outcome measure(s) Rate of cephalic presentation at term.
Secondary outcome measure(s) 1. Rate of cephalic presentation at week 38 of gestation (CP38), determined by echography
2. Number of days of treatment received until version occurs
3. Rate of caesarean sections
4. Security variables:
4.1. Increased rates of foetal cardiac rhythm change, followed-up until birth
4.2. Risk of premature birth
4.3. Changes in Apgar scores at 1 minute and at 5 minutes 1. Rate of cephalic presentation at week 38 of gestation (CP38), determined by echography
2. Number of days of treatment received until version occurs
3. Rate of caesarean sections
4. Security variables:
4.1. Increased rates of foetal cardiac rhythm change
4.2. Risk of premature birth
4.3. Changes in Apgar scores at 1 minute and at 5 minutes
Sources of funding Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health (Project No. 0053/2007)
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Dr  Jorge  Vas
  Address Centro de Salud
Unidad de Tratamiento del Dolor
C/ Segovia s/n
  City/town Dos Hermanas
  Zip/Postcode 41700
  Country Spain
  Email jorgef.vas.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Sponsor Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health (Spain)
  Address Avda de la Innovación s/n
Edif. Arena 1
  City/town Sevilla
  Zip/Postcode 41020
  Country Spain
Date applied 02/04/2008
Last edited 30/04/2008
Date ISRCTN assigned 30/04/2008
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