title: Effectiveness of P6 acupoint electrical stimulation in preventing postoperativenausea and vomiting following laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of pericardium 6 (P6) electrical stimulation in patients at risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following laparoscopic surgery were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients for laparoscopic surgery with at least one of the determined risks (nonsmoker, female, previous PONV/motion sickness, or postoperative opioid use) were randomized into either an active or sham group. At the end of surgery, Reletex electrical acustimulation was placed at the P6 acupoint. The active group had grade 3 strength and the sham group had inactivated electrodes covered by silicone. It was worn for 24 h following surgery. PONV scores were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The active group had significantly shorter durations of surgery and lower PONV incidence over 24 h (35.1% versus 64.9%, P = 0.024) and this was attributed to the lower incidence of nausea (31.4% versus 68.6%, P = 0.006). The overall incidence of vomiting was not significantly different between the groups, but it was higher in the sham group of patients with PONV risk score 3 (23.9%, P = 0.049).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients at high risk for PONV, P6 acupoint electrical stimulation lowers the PONV incidence by reducing the nausea component. However, this reduction in nausea is not related to increasing PONV risk scores.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Penang Adventist Hospital, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors: Aik Hoe
authors: AH
authors: Yeoh
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Shereen Suet Ping
authors: SS
authors: Tang
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Norsidah
authors: N
authors: Abdul Manap
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Wan Rahiza
authors: WR
authors: Wan Mat
authors: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Penang General Hospital, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors: Shuraya
authors: S
authors: Said
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Muhamad Rahimi
authors: MR
authors: Che Hassan
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Raha
authors: R
authors: Abdul Rahman
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: P6; acupoint electrical stimulation; postoperative nausea and vomiting