Can auricular acupressure with music therapy reduce postpartum depression and labor pain?

Auricular acupressure (applying pressure to specific points on the ear) combined with five-element music therapy is a non-drug approach being studied for labor pain and postpartum depression (PPD). A recent randomized controlled trial directly tested this combination and found it reduced both pain during labor and depressive symptoms shortly after childbirth ²⁹. While this is promising, the evidence comes from a single trial, so more research is needed before it becomes a standard recommendation.

What the research says

A 2026 randomized controlled trial involving 146 women preparing for vaginal delivery compared auricular acupressure plus five-element music therapy (FEMT) to routine care ²⁹. The treatment group received acupressure at five ear points (Internal Genitals, Shenmen, Endocrine, Sympathetic, Subcortex) during labor until 2 hours postpartum, along with listening to five-element music ²⁹. Pain was measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). At 6 cm cervical dilation, the treatment group had a median NRS score of 6 versus 8 in the control group (P < 0.001). At 10 cm dilation, scores were 7 versus 9 (P < 0.001) ²⁹. This indicates significantly lower pain intensity during active labor.

Postpartum depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 1 and 6 weeks postpartum. At 1 week, the treatment group had lower median EPDS scores (8 vs. 9, P = 0.036) and a lower incidence of PPD (15.1% vs. 32.9%, P = 0.012) ²⁹. The reduction in major PPD was also significant ²⁹. However, by 6 weeks, the difference in PPD incidence was no longer statistically significant, suggesting the effect may be short-term ²⁹.

Other research supports non-drug approaches for PPD. For example, a meta-analysis found that prenatal psychological interventions (like mindfulness or psychosocial support) reduced PPD incidence (OR = 0.73) ⁴. Aerobic exercise has also been shown to reduce depressive symptoms ⁶. However, these studies did not test auricular acupressure or music therapy specifically. The combination of acupressure and music therapy is a novel intervention that targets both pain and mood, possibly through relaxation and stimulation of nerve pathways ²⁹.

What to ask your doctor

• Could auricular acupressure with music therapy be a safe option for me during labor?
• Are there any trained practitioners in your hospital or clinic who can provide this therapy?
• How does this non-drug approach compare with standard pain management options I might consider?
• What other non-drug strategies (like exercise or psychological support) could help reduce my risk of postpartum depression?
• If I am interested in trying this, what should I know about the timing and duration of the treatment?