Taspinar, A., & Sirin, A. (2010). Effect of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic cancer patients in Turkey. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 14, 49–54.
To evaluate the effect of a wristband acupressure for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with gynecologic cancers
Patients completed diaries daily for five days while they were receiving chemotherapy. Based on their treatment protocol, patients received a wristband 21 to 28 days later, along with written and verbal instructions and demonstration on its use. Patients were instructed to wear the wristbands constantly and to complete the patient diaries for the five days while receiving chemotherapy. On the sixth day, patients completed questionnaires about the wristbands. All patients received standard antiemetics and recorded medication use in their diaries.
The study was conducted at multiple outpatient sites in Turkey.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a prospective clinical trial with a pre/post-test design.
Acupressure wristbands worn by patients with gynecologic cancers during chemotherapy administration were associated with a significant reduction in nausea but not vomiting or retching. Less antiemetic medication was used with the acupressure wristband.
Acupressure wristbands may provide some relief of nausea during chemotherapy treatment; however, they do not appear to provide relief from retching or vomiting.