The effect of plaster applied to the umbilical area (Shenque-CV8 point) on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Hormonal and physical changes, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, can cause nausea and vomiting.

This study aims to investigate the effect of plaster applied to the umbilical area (Shenque-CV8 point) on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

It is a randomized-controlled study (Clinical trial number: NCT05788796). A total of 60 pregnant women, 30 in the CV8 group and 30 in the control group constituted the sampling of the study. Pregnant women in the CV8 group were regularly asked to fix a hazelnut-sized cotton ball to the umbilicus with plaster before going to bed at night for five days. Pregnant women in the control group were not asked to make any changes in their lives. The nausea-vomiting levels of pregnant women before and five days after the treatment were compared using the Rhodes Nausea Index and PUQE nausea scoring. The data was analyzed by the independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and paired sample t-test. The statistical significance value was accepted as P < 0.05.

There was no statistically significant difference between the experiment and control groups in terms of sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. The degree of nausea decreased in the experiment group compared to the pre-intervention period (p < 0.001), while no statistically significant change was found in the control group. In addition, while there was no difference between the two groups in terms of nausea scores before the application, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the application, the nausea score of the experimental group was lower compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

The results show that the application of plaster to the Shenque-CV8 point reduces nausea and vomiting in pregnant women and has no side effects. This application is practical, non-invasive, and easy to apply.