"Acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized clinical trial," Dibble SL, Luce J, et al, (Address: Institute for Health and Aging, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA. E-mail: sue.dibble@gmail.com ). Summary: In a multi-center, longitudinal, randomized, controlled clinical trial involving 160 women with breast cancer undergoing their second or third cycle of chemotherapy, who experienced moderate nausea with their previous chemotherapy treatments, acupressure at a key acupuncture point (Pericardium 6, also referred to as P6 or PC-6) was found to reduce the amount and intensity of delayed nausea and vomiting. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups for a period of 3 weeks: 1) active group: received acupressure at the PC-6 acupuncture point (located approximately 2 inches above the wrist crease between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis), a point known to reduce nausea and vomiting in traditional Chinese medicine; 2) placebo group: received acupressure at the SI-3 acupuncture point (a point that does not have the function of reducing nausea and vomiting in traditional Chinese medicine); 3) usual care group: received usual care with no acupressure treatment. In the active and placebo groups, patients received acupressure through application of a wrist device which stimulated the particular point. For the 3 weeks, subjects completed a daily log of nausea and vomiting and any treatments used for these (such as acupressure or antiemetic drugs). Results found statistically significant reductions in the amount of vomiting and the intensity of nausea over time ('delayed nausea and vomiting'), compared with both the placebo and the usual-care groups. The placebo and usual-care groups showed no significant difference in delayed nausea and vomiting. In terms of acute nausea and vomiting, no significant differences were found between the 3 groups. The authors of this study conclude, "Acupressure at the P6 point is a value-added technique in addition to pharmaceutical management for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer to reduce the amount and intensity of delayed CINV." Oncol Nurs Forum, 2007; 34(4): 813-20. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.