The effects of P6 acupressure in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients

Alexandros Molasiotis, A. M. Helin, R. Dabbour, S. Hummerston

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Nausea, and to a lesser extend vomiting, remain significant clinical problems after the administration of chemotherapy, with up to 60% of patients reporting nausea despite use of antiemetics. Combining antiemetics with other non-pharmacological treatments may prove more effective in decreasing nausea than antiemetics alone. Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using acupressure in Pericardium 6 (Neiguan) acu-point in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Methods: This was a randomised controlled trial. Acupressure was applied using wristbands (Sea-Band™) which patients in the experimental group had to wear for the 5 days following the chemotherapy administration. Assessments of nausea, retching and vomiting were obtained from all patients daily for 5 days. Thirty-six patients completed the study from two centres in the UK, with 19 patients allocated to the control arm and 17 to the experimental arm. Results: It was found that nausea and retching experience, and nausea, vomiting and retching occurrence and distress were all significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The only exception was with the vomiting experience, which was close to significance (P = 0.06). Discussion: Results highlight the important role of safe and convenient non-pharmacological complementary therapies, such as acupressure, in the management of the complex symptoms of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-12
Number of pages10
JournalComplementary Therapies in Medicine
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Acupressure
  • Breast cancer
  • Cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Complementary therapies
  • Intervention
  • Nausea
  • Retching
  • Vomiting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and Manual Therapy
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Advanced and Specialised Nursing

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