Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 1996 Mar; 40(3): 372-5.

Effect of P-6 acupressure on prevention of nausea and vomiting after epidural morphine for post-cesarean section pain relief.

Ho CM, Hseu SS, Tsai SK, Lee TY.

Department of Anesthesiology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting are important side effects following administration of epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief. Stimulation of the P-6 (Neiguan) acupoint is a traditional Chinese acupuncture modality used for antiemetic purpose; it has been found to be effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiemetic effect of P-6 acupressure in parturients given epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief. METHOD: In a randomized, double-blind and controlled trial, sixty parturients receiving epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief were investigated. Parturients were allocated to receive the acupressure bands or placebo bands on the P-6 acupoint bilaterally before the administration of spinal anesthesia and were observed over a 48-hour study period. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly decreased from 43% and 27% in the control group, to 3% and 0% in the acupressure group, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that prophylactic use of acupressure bands bilaterally on the P-6 acupoint can significantly reduce incidence of nausea and vomiting after epidural morphine for post-Cesarean section pain relief.