Tan, J.Y., Molassiotis, A., Wang, T., & Suen, L.K. (2014). Current evidence on auricular therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, 430796.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
APPLICATIONS: Pediatrics and elder care
This review was a helpful starting point to spur more research on the use of AT for the management of CINV. There was significant heterogeneity among the trials, but there appeared to be encouraging results for the use of AT to justify additional research. To better answer the question about AT's benefit, well-designed, randomized, controlled trials will be needed. From the information presented, it appears that AT may have a role in the management of delayed CINV, which can be challenging to manage and very troublesome for patients.
The investigators were only able to evaluate English and Chinese studies, which may have prevented the review of other studies such as Korean trials.
Encouraging results were identified about the adjunct use of AT for CINV, but this review demonstrated the need for well-designed trials incorporating AT with antiemetic regimens for acute and delayed CINV. The trials need to incorporate standard AT points, standard pressing length at each point, and a standard CINV assessment scale. Patient compliance also should be assessed and documented.