Acupressure at acupoint P6 for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomised clinical trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Acupressure at acupoint P6 for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomised clinical trial

AU - Majholm, Birgitte

AU - Møller, Ann M

PY - 2011/6/1

Y1 - 2011/6/1

N2 - Background and objective Postoperative nausea and vomiting causes discomfort in many patients despite both antiemetic prophylactics and improved anaesthetic techniques. Stimulation of acupoint P6 is described as an alternative method for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In a randomised, double-blinded study, we aimed to investigate the effect of P6 acupoint stimulation on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 h postoperatively with an acupressure wristband: Vital-Band. Methods One hundred and thirty-four healthy, non-smoking women scheduled for breast surgery were randomised either to P6 stimulation or to sham control. Wristbands were applied and covered with a dressing before induction of anaesthesia. Follow-up was carried out three times within 24 h postoperatively. Primary outcomes were postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Results One hundred and twelve patients completed the study. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nausea [P6 stimulation, 35.1% (95% confidence interval, CI 22.7-47.5%) versus sham control, 43.1% (95% CI 29.5-56.7%; P1/20.433)] or vomiting [P6 stimulation, 25.9% (95% CI 14.6-37.2%) versus sham control, 26.9% (95% CI 14.8-39.0%; P1/21.000)]. Approximately, one third of the patients reported side effects caused by the wristband, for example, redness, swelling and tenderness. Conclusion We did not find the Vital-Band effective in preventing either nausea or vomiting after operation in women undergoing breast surgery.

AB - Background and objective Postoperative nausea and vomiting causes discomfort in many patients despite both antiemetic prophylactics and improved anaesthetic techniques. Stimulation of acupoint P6 is described as an alternative method for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In a randomised, double-blinded study, we aimed to investigate the effect of P6 acupoint stimulation on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 h postoperatively with an acupressure wristband: Vital-Band. Methods One hundred and thirty-four healthy, non-smoking women scheduled for breast surgery were randomised either to P6 stimulation or to sham control. Wristbands were applied and covered with a dressing before induction of anaesthesia. Follow-up was carried out three times within 24 h postoperatively. Primary outcomes were postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Results One hundred and twelve patients completed the study. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nausea [P6 stimulation, 35.1% (95% confidence interval, CI 22.7-47.5%) versus sham control, 43.1% (95% CI 29.5-56.7%; P1/20.433)] or vomiting [P6 stimulation, 25.9% (95% CI 14.6-37.2%) versus sham control, 26.9% (95% CI 14.8-39.0%; P1/21.000)]. Approximately, one third of the patients reported side effects caused by the wristband, for example, redness, swelling and tenderness. Conclusion We did not find the Vital-Band effective in preventing either nausea or vomiting after operation in women undergoing breast surgery.

U2 - 10.1097/eja.0b013e32833f6f42

DO - 10.1097/eja.0b013e32833f6f42

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21544020

SN - 0952-1941

VL - 28

SP - 412

EP - 419

JO - European Journal of Anaesthesiology, Supplement

JF - European Journal of Anaesthesiology, Supplement

IS - 6

ER -