Acupuncture treats nausea and vomitting during pregnancy

Reviews were found on postoperative sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Results for postoperative nausea and vomiting show the most consistent results with 26 trials and more than 3000 patients showing the superiority of real P6 stimulation over sham for both adults and children and for both nausea and vomiting.

Pooled data of trials including different antiemetics showed that P6 stimulation seems to be superior to antiemetic medication for nausea and equivalent for vomiting. P6 stimulation was similarly effective across the different methods of stimulation, both invasive or noninvasive.

Results for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting showed 11 trials and over 1200 patients. Electroacupuncture, but not manual acupuncture, was beneficial for first-day vomiting. Acupressure was effective for first-day nausea but not vomiting.

Wristwatch-like electrical devices were not effective for any outcome. Results for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting comprised six trials and approximately 1150 patients.

Results were mixed with some trials showing positive and other trials equivocal results with no favor to a certain kind of method.

Neiguan P6 stimulation may be beneficial for various conditions involving nausea and vomiting.

Reference

Ezzo, et al. (2006) The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(5): 489-495. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.489.