title: The effects of stimulation of acupressure point p6 on postoperative nausea and vomiting: a review of literature.
abstract: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can complicate and delay patient recovery from general and neuraxial anesthesia. Even with a new generation of anesthetic drugs and antiemetics, a high number of patients are affected by PONV. PONV has a multifactor etiology, but there are ways to reduce its occurrence. Although it is not a traditionally recognized method, stimulation of acupressure points, specifically P6, has been identified as a potentially effective method of reducing PONV. This study is a state of the science paper reviewing research on both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic prophylaxis and various methods of acupressure. It was conducted to add information to the currently available knowledge regarding PONV in hopes of stimulating the use of acupressure for treatment of PONV. The study is divided into six categories: pathophysiology of PONV, background studies of PONV, nonpharmacologic prophylaxis, pharmacological prophylaxis, acupressure and related techniques, and benefits of routine antiemetic prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiologists Associates PC, Chattanooga, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nunley
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wakim
authors.forename: Cherry
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guinn
mesh_terms: D019840:2-Propanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019050:Acupressure / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006801:Humans; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D012601:Scopolamine; D019840:2-Propanol