Efficacy of P6 acupressure in the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Abstract

Our purpose was to investigate the efficacy of P6 acupressure in reducing or relieving symptoms of nausea with or without vomiting and retching during pregnancy. Symptomatic pregnant volunteers (n=161) participated in a 7-day community-based clinical trial. All participants were assigned to one of three groups (i.e., P6 acupressure, placebo [acupressure bands inappropriately placed], or control) on the basis of a process of blocked randomization. Data were analyzed by error bar charts and analysis of variance of difference scores. Of 161 women, 149 (92.5%) completed the protocol. Irrespective of group assignment, participants reported significant decreases in nausea (p<0.0009) and vomiting or retching (p<0.0009). However, there was no differential treatment effect as a result of acupressure. There was no apparent medical benefit from the use of P6 acupressure. Our findings differ from other recently published studies that did not include a control group.