Comparing two methods of pain relief during labor
Official title: Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus Versus Continuous Infusion When Added to Patient-controlled Epidural Analgesia on Bupivacaine Consumption in Labour Analgesia: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Université de Sherbrooke · NCT03730753 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing whether giving pregnant women in labor pain relief through a timed injection of medication works better and uses less medicine than a steady drip of the same medication.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Trial ID | NCT03730753 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are pregnant women aged 18 and older in early labor who consent to epidural analgesia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with pregnancy-related comorbidities, multiple gestations, or those with a history of chronic pain may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of programmed intermittent epidural bolus versus continuous infusion for labor analgesia. Pregnant women in labor will be randomly assigned to receive either a programmed bolus of bupivacaine every 45 minutes or a continuous infusion of the medication. Both groups will have the option to use patient-controlled analgesia (PCEA) for additional pain relief as needed. The goal is to determine if the intermittent bolus method can reduce the overall consumption of bupivacaine compared to the continuous infusion method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective pain management during labor with reduced medication use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown varying success with different epidural analgesia techniques, but this specific comparison is less commonly tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant nulliparous or multiparous woman in labour * Age ≥18 years * Obtained consent for epidural analgesia * ASA classification I-II-III * Early labour (cervical dilation ≤6cm) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy-related comorbidities (preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age fetus) * Prematurity (\<36 weeks of gestation) * Multiple gestation * Fentanyl allergy or hypersensitivity * Patient unable to understand the PCEA * Fetal breech position * Maternal cardiac pathology and contraindication to Valsalva manoeuvre * Patient with a pain visual analog scale (VAS) not ≤1/10 20 minutes after the anesthesiologist's initial bolus * Intrathecal catheter or intravascular catheter * Accidental dural puncture * Patient refusal * Patient with a history of chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months) or fibromyalgia
Where it's running
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Chus
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Geneviève Rivard, Dr. — Université de Sherbrooke
- Study coordinator: Isabelle Caron, Dr.
- Email: isabelle.caron4@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: +1 819 346-1110
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Technique in Labor Analgesia
This observational study at Ohio State tests whether the DPE method can reliably reveal CSF and improve epidural placement during labor without injecting medication.
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Midwife-guided Birth Affirmation Cards for Primigravidas
This study tests whether midwife-guided birth affirmation cards can shorten labor, reduce pain, and improve feelings of control and support for first-time mothers.
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Tramadol versus paracetamol versus placebo for pain relief and labor length in first-time mothers
This trial will try IV tramadol, IV paracetamol, or saline to see which gives better pain relief and changes active labor length for first-time mothers in active labor.
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Left-side versus lying on your back to shorten the active phase of labor
This trial tests whether staying on your left side instead of lying on your back shortens the active phase of labor for first-time mothers at term.
-
TENS for pain relief during active labor
This trial will try using a TENS device versus a sham to see if it lowers pain for first-time moms during the active phase of labor.
-
PIEB versus CEI for epidural labor pain relief
This trial will test whether programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) or a continuous epidural infusion (CEI), each combined with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), works better for pain relief during labor in women having vaginal delivery.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.