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Am J Perinatol 2020; 37(12): 1243-1249
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693428
Original Article

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Electroacupuncture on Postnatal Scanty Milk Secretion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ahmed M. Maged 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Marwa E. Hassanin
2   Department of Women Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Wafaa M. Kamal
2   Department of Women Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Amr H. Abbassy
3   Department of Reproductive Health and Family Planning, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
,
Mahmoud Alalfy
3   Department of Reproductive Health and Family Planning, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
,
Ahmed N. Askalani
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Ahmed El-Lithy
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Mohamed Nabil
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Dalia Farouk
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Eman A. Hussein
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
,
Bahaa Hammad
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective Postnatal scanty milk secretion is a common complaint. Some physical and medical interventions were advocated to help milk production. These interventions should be effective and safe for the mother and the infant. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion.

Study Design A randomized controlled study conducted on 60 healthy primiparous mothers with insufficient lactation. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (control), group B (those who received low-power He–Ne laser beam on both breasts), and group C (those who received faradic current stimulation at Spleen 6, Liver 3, and Small Intestine 1 acupuncture points on both sides). All participants received 10 mg Domperidone three times a day and were given advice about lactation, nutrition, and fluid intake. Evaluation was done before and after the treatment program.

Results The mean serum prolactin, infant weight, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were significantly increased in the three groups posttreatment when compared with their corresponding levels pretreatment. Posttreatment serum prolactin was significantly elevated in group C more than the other two groups (p = 0.001 and 0.012, respectively). Also, it was significantly elevated in group B more than in group A (p = 0.001). The mean value of infant weight was significantly elevated in group C when compared with its corresponding values in both groups A (p = 0.001) and B (p = 0.029). The VAS score was significantly increased in both groups B and C when compared with group A (p = 0.001).

Conclusion Electroacupuncture is more effective than low-level laser therapy in increasing postnatal scanty milk secretion.

Clinical Trial Registration NCT03806062.

Keywords

scanty milk secretion - prolactin - low-level laser therapy - electroacupuncture

Authors' Contributions

A.M.M.: project development, data management, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing, and literature research. M.E.H.: project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing, and literature research.W.M.K.: project development, data management, data analysis, manuscript writing, and literature research. A.H.A.: project development, data collection, data management, and literature research. M.A.: project development, data collection, and data management. A.N.A.: project development, data collection, data management, data analysis, manuscript writing, and literature research. A.E.-L: project development, data management, data analysis, manuscript writing, and literature research. M.N.F.: data analysis and manuscript writing. D.F.: data analysis and manuscript writing.E.A.H.: data analysis and manuscript writing.B.H.: data reanalysis and manuscript revision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Note

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.


Ethical Approval

This study was approved by Kasr Alainy Ethical Committee of Cairo University People's Hospital. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.




Publication History

Received: 07 April 2019

Accepted: 06 June 2019

Article published online:
21 July 2019

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