The effects of P6 acupressure and nurse-provided counseling on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of pericardium 6 (P6) acupressure and nurse-provided counseling on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with breast cancer.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
A university cancer center in Seoul, South Korea.


METHODS
120 women who were beginning their second cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy after definitive surgery for breast cancer and who had more than mild levels of nausea and vomiting with the first cycle of chemotherapy.


METHODS
Participants were assigned randomly into four groups: control (placebo on SI3), counseling only, P6 acupressure only, and P6 acupressure plus nurse-provided counseling. The experiences of upper-gastrointestinal distress were measured by the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching for acute (day 1) and delayed (day 2 to day 5) CINV.


METHODS
Nausea, retching, vomiting, P6 acupressure, and counseling.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in the demographic and disease-related variables among the four groups. The levels of CINV were significantly different among the groups from day 2 to day 5. The CINV differences were attributed mainly to the difference between the control group and the group with P6 acupressure plus nurse-provided counseling. The effects of acupressure were proven from day 2 to day 5, and the effects of nurse-provided counseling were proven on day 4 and were close to significance level on day 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Synergic effects of P6 acupressure with nurse-provided counseling appeared to be effective in reducing CINV in patients with breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
P6 acupressure combined with counseling by nurses is a safe and easy-to-apply tool in CINV management in practice.
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, South Korea. esuh@snu.ac.kr
Eunyoung Eunice
EE
Suh
D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents