Dibble, S.L., Luce, J., Cooper, B.A., Israel, J., Cohen, M., Nussey, B., Rugo, H. (2007). Acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A randomized clinical trial. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34, 813-820.
To compare the differences in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer among three groups: acupressure, acupressure placebo, and usual care
Subjects were randomized to one of three groups: acupressure to P6 point (active), acupressure to S13 point (placebo), or usual care. Participants in the acupressure groups were taught to apply acupressure wrist devices by research assistants unaware of the active pressure point. All participants completed daily logs for 21 days. Patients measured nausea and vomiting and recorded methods for controlling the symptoms, including antiemetics and acupressure. Research assistants, who had received two hours of training on the study protocol, instructed participants. In an examination or private room, the participants were taught to find a quiet place each morning to perform the acupressure treatment to both P6 points sequentially either as treatment or practice. During the day, participants in the acupressure groups were encouraged to apply digital pressure to one of the points whenever nausea occurred regardless of where they were. Each session was six minutes in the morning and three minutes each during the rest of the day. Self-ratings were completed on a daily basis prior to bedtime. All participants were called or seen on day eight for review of the log and coaching, if needed.
The study was conducted in community oncology programs associated with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and nine independent sites.
This was a multicenter, longitudinal, randomized controlled trial.
In conjunction with pharmaceutical management, acupressure at P6 was found to reduce the amount and intensity of delayed CINV in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Acupressure is a safe and effective tool to be offered to women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment.