Acustimulation wristbands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea.

CONTEXT

Substantial evidence suggests that acupuncture-point stimulation may be effective in controlling side effects of chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the efficacy of an acustimulation wristband for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial using a 3-level crossover design.

SETTING

Three outpatient oncology clinics in the northeastern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-five women and 2 men who experienced moderate or more severe nausea following their first chemotherapy treatment.

INTERVENTION

We compared active acustimulation of the Pericardium 6 (PC-6) point on the ventral surface of the wrist with sham acustimulation (a corresponding point on the posterior surface of the wrist). A control group received no acustimulation.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Severity of nausea and quantity of antiemetic medication used.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in average severity of nausea were observed between the 3 interventions. However, the data showed a difference close to statistical significance in the severity of delayed nausea reported during active acustimulation compared to no acustimulation (P <.06). In addition, patients took fewer antinausea pills during the active-acustimulation cycle of this experiment compared to the no-acustimulation phase (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Findings on the efficacy of an acustimulation band for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea are positive but not conclusive. These findings provide ample justification for further study of acustimulation in clinical oncology.