Wrist Acupuncture Reduces Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 15 - Acupuncture or acupressure stimulation of Pericardium 6 (P6), a point on the wrist, is safe and effective for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting, according to a review of studies appearing in The Cochrane Library for April 14. The results show that compared with sham treatment, P6 stimulation reduces nausea by 29%, vomiting by 30%, and the need for rescue antiemetics by 31%, report study co-authors Dr. Anna Lee and Dr. Lawrence T. Y. Fan, from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.

Wristband stimulation alone was the most common form of P6 stimulation, used in 17 of the studies. These wristbands, the authors note, are the same ones used to prevent seasickness and chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. P6 stimulation appeared to be equally effective in adult and pediatric populations, the authors note. Moreover, invasive and noninvasive stimulation were comparable in efficacy.

 

"Generally, physicians and patients are not aware of this type of treatment for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting," Dr. Lee said in a statement. "Translating the evidence from this updated Cochrane review into clinical practice will take time."

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;2.