Acustimulation of the Neiguan point during gastroscopy: its effects on nausea and retching

Gastroscopic procedure causes nausea and retching in many patients. Recently, alternative methods have been employed in an effort to reduce these symptoms. The Neiguan point (P6) is an acupuncture point that has been used for approximately 3,000 years to overcome gastric symptoms including nausea and retching. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the stimulation of the P6 acupoint on swallowing, nausea and retching during the gastroscopic procedure.

Three hundred and twenty-seven patients who visited the gastroenterology unit for dyspeptic complaints were included in the study. A portable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device (Reliefband; Maven Lab, Yuba City, CA) was used for acustimulation. The device was attached 15 minutes before the endoscopic procedure and no sedation was applied. The device was turned on in 78 patients (Group 1). The device was attached but not turned on in another 79 patients (Group 2). In Group 3, the device was attached to the Sham point (n: 79). In Group 4 the procedure was performed with no attachments (n: 77). Fourteen patients dropped out of the study because esophagogastroduodenoscopy could not be completed due to patient intolerance or to obstruction in the upper gastrointestinal tract. After the procedure, each patient's opinion about the severity of nausea and retching was measured on a visual analogue scale. Distress in swallowing and the impression of the endoscopist during the procedure were scored from 1 to 4. Patients were queried regarding their willingness to undergo re-endoscopy.

Groups were compared regarding their distress in swallowing the endoscope, nausea and retching, the impression of the endoscopist during the procedure and their acceptance of re-endoscopy. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were compared using the chi-square test, and no significant difference was observed between the groups (p>0.05).

Acustimulation of the Neiguan (P6) acupoint does not relieve patients of the nausea observed during gastroscopy, and its application does not facilitate the procedure.