Acupuncture/ pressure, Nausea/Vomiting

State-of-the-art: Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting

In a published review, the effectiveness of acupuncture was evaluated in postoperative nausea and vomiting, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting

  • 26 studies
  • Acupuncture-point stimulation was effective for both nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

  • Results of 11 trials differ based on the type of acupuncture used.
  • Acupressure appears effective for first-day nausea.
  • Electroacupuncture was effective for first-day vomiting.
  • Noninvasive electrostimulation was no more effective than placebo for any outcome.

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting

  • Results were mixed.

More information on this topic is here and here.

12/21/06 23:52 JR