Background: Acupuncture and acupressure have
previously been reported to possess antiemetic effect. We wanted to investigate
the “true” and placebo effect of acupressure in prevention of postoperative
nausea and vomiting (PONV).
Patients and methods: Sixty women undergoing outpatient minor gynaecological
surgery were entered into a double-blind and randomised study. One group
received acupressure with bilateral stimulation of P6 (A), a second group
received bilateral placebo stimulation (P) and a third group received no
acupressure wrist band and served as a reference group (R). PONV was evaluated
as number of patients with complete response (no PONV), nausea only or
vomiting. In addition, the need for rescue antiemetic medication and nausea
after 24 h was registered.
Results: Complete response was obtained in 11, 11 and 9 patients in
groups, A, P and R, respectively. Nine, 7 and 6 patients had nausea before
discharge home, and 1, 1 and 8 patients were nauseated (8 vs 1 patient: P<0.05 ) 24 h after operation in A, P and R groups,
respectively. When compared to placebo acupressure (2 patients vomited and 5
needed rescue), significantly (P<0.05) fewer needed
rescue antiemetic medication after acupressure at P6 (no vomiting or rescue
medication). When compared to the observation group (5 vomited and 4 needed
rescue antiemetics), significantly fewer vomited after acupressure (P<0.05)
Conclusion: In patients undergoing brief gynaecological surgery, placebo
effect of acupressure decreased nausea after 24 h but vomiting and need of
resuce antiemetics was reduced only by acupressure with the correct P6 point
stimulation.