Effect of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic cancer patients in Turkey
published online 14 September 2009.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of acupressure applied to the pericardium 6 (P6 or Neiguan) acupuncture point with a wristband (Sea-Band™) on nausea–vomiting in addition to the standard antiemetic medications used to prevent nausea–vomiting due to chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients.
Method
In this prospective research we used pre- and posttests. The study consisted of 34 patients with gynecologic cancer.
Results
We found a significant decrease in the patients' mean scores of nausea and the use of antiemetic medications following acupressure applied to the patients with a wristband, when compared with their mean scores of nausea and the use of antiemetic medications prior to the application (p<0.05), and we also observed a decline in their mean scores of vomiting and retching episodes; however, this decline was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusions
The findings from this study suggest that the acupressure applied to P6 acupuncture point with wristbands may be effective in reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and may decrease the antiemetic use after chemotherapy. Further research with more subjects is needed.
ABSTRACT