Effects of Nei-Guan (P6) Acupressure Wristband: On Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching in Women After Thyroidectomy.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy is a common health problem in the recovery room.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the Nei-Guan (P6) acupressure wristband for PONV among patients undergoing thyroidectomy.


METHODS
Sixty Korean female participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 20 each). The control group received usual care without the wristband. The placebo group received usual nursing care plus a wristband at the non-P6 site. The treatment group received usual care plus a wristband at the P6 acupoint 30 minutes before anesthesia; the wristband was removed before leaving the recovery room. Data were collected at 3 periods: in the recovery room and at 6 and 24 hours after surgery.


RESULTS
The nausea scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than the scores of the placebo or control groups in the recovery room (F = 6.229, P = .044). There were no significant differences in vomiting or retching among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The P6 stimulation with wristband suppressed nausea right after thyroidectomy in the recovery room but did not suppress subsequent vomiting or retching.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that P6 acupressure has the short-term effect of relieving nausea but not vomiting and retching. Use of P6 wristband holds promise and suggests the need for further testing in a larger randomized clinical trial. Identifying other acupoints is recommended to achieve successful management of PONV.
Author Affiliations: College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea (Ms Kwon and Dr Shin); and Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Juon).
Jung-Hee
JH
Kwon
Yeonghee
Y
Shin
Hee-Soon
HS
Juon
D019050:Acupressure / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014953:Wrist