Acupressure for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting in children

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of acupressure therapy in preventing chemotherapy-associated nausea in children. A prospective, randomized, crossover trial was conducted among pediatric oncology patients at Brenner Children's Hospital (Winston-Salem, NC). Patients were randomized to one of two treatment sequences involving acupressure wrist bands and placebo bands, separated by a standard care treatment with no bands. All patients received standard antiemetic therapy for each treatment. Expectations and outcomes of nausea and vomiting were assessed by questionnaires. Of 21 patients approached, 21 were enrolled and 18 completed all three study treatments. Patients' ages ranged from 5 to 19 years, 14 of 18 were Caucasian, and 9 were male. In general, patients expressed moderate expectations that acupressure would prevent nausea and vomiting. Following the session with an acupressure band, a third of all patients reported better than expected nausea prevention. There was no significant difference in nausea or vomiting between the three groups; there were no significant side effects from acupressure or placebo bands. Pediatric oncology patients have moderate expectations about the effectiveness of acupressure in preventing nausea and vomiting. Acupressure is feasible and well tolerated but was not more effective than placebo in this sample of patients who were also treated with standard antiemetic therapies.