Effects of the Wrist Band Acupressure Technique on the Severity of Nausea among Patients Receiving Highly Versus Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy is an important therapeutic option for patients with cancers, but it is also associated with a number of adverse effects that can affect practically every body system. The most frequent side effects of chemotherapy are gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea and vomiting. The pericardium 6 (P6) is one of the most important points used in acupressure techniques for treating nausea and vomiting.    

Objectives: This study aims to examine the effects of wrist band acupressure technique on the severity of nausea among patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.   

Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was conducted at the Imam Al-Hussein Center for Oncology and Hematology and the oncology wards of the Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba teaching hospital, which is located in Kerbala Holy City. Forty-seven patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy were divided into two groups: 22 patients were assigned in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. Patients in the intervention group were followed to perform acupressure techniques, while in the control group only received routine conventional care.                                                                                

Results: Before applying the interventional approach, the intervention group's overall mean score for nausea was 52.3±10.9; it was 39.8 ±14.5 after implementing the intervention. There is a statistically significant difference in the severity of nausea between the two groups after implementing the interventional protocol at a p-value of 0.000. Moreover, there are no significant differences between the severity of nausea after using wrist band acupressure and the type of chemotherapy (p-value 0.6).        

Conclusion: Using wrist band acupressure as a noninvasive technique can be effective in reducing the severity of nausea among patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy