Effects of Acupressure Applied to P6 Point on Nausea Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled.

BACKGROUND

Two-thirds of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. The use of pharmacological drugs to alleviate this condition does not reduce nausea and vomiting to the desired extent.

PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of acupressure applied to Nei-guan (P6) point on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

METHODS

This study was designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

This study data was collected at a Private Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Turkish women with a singleton pregnancy at the gestation of 6-11 weeks were recruited. One hundred forty-nine women were randomized into the acupressure and control groups.

INTERVENTION

While the women in the acupressure group applied acupressure point on both wrists 3 times a day for 1 week, the women in the control group performed no intervention.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The participants' pre- and post-procedure nausea-vomiting status was assessed using the Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy Instrument.

RESULTS

In the present study, acupressure applied to the participants in the acupressure group very significantly reduced nausea and vomiting (Before intervention 7 vs. After intervention 4) compared to the control group (Before intervention 7 vs. After intervention 8, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Statistical results have provided that acupressure taught to women was found to be highly effective in reducing pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Teaching pregnant women how to perform acupressure on their own will be an alternative method especially for women who do not want to use pharmacological methods in the first trimester of their pregnancy.