Gardani, G., Cerrone, R., Biella, C., Galbiati, G., Proserpio, E., Casiraghi, M., … Lissoni, P. (2007). A progress study of 100 cancer patients treated by acupressure for chemotherapy-induced vomiting after failure of pharmacological approach. Minerva Medica, 98(6), 665-668.
To confirm the potential therapeutic efficacy of PC6 stimulation by acupressure in patients with cancer experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after failure with pharmacologic approaches
PC6 acupoint was stimulated by acupressure with a button (P6 nausea control Sea-Band®) for eight hours per day at home, starting before the onset of chemotherapy, and for at least three days after chemotherapy.
The study consisted of 100 consecutive patients with metastatic solid tumors admitted to receive chemotherapy for advanced disease.
Patients were included in the study if they had
The study was conducted in Italy.
World Health Organization criteria were used.
Overall, 68% of patients achieved control of emesis.
No significant differences in efficacy were observed in relation to tumor histotype.
The percentage of efficacy varied in relation to type of chemotherapy. The lowest results were observed in patients treated with anthracyclines, whereas more benefit was seen in patients with other chemotherapy agents. However, the efficacy achieved was greater than 50% in the treatment of vomiting because of anthracyclines.
The study confirmed the efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of CINV with a larger number of patients than previously studied. Acupressure appears to be effective in reducing vomiting experienced as a result of most commonly used chemotherapy agents.