Comparison of the Effects of Acupressure Points K-K9 and P6 on Nausea and Vomiting in Chemotherapy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy (CT) that are not fully alleviated by conventional treatments. In the field of acupressure, there are conflicting studies regarding its effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of acupressure points K-K9 and P6 on CINV in CT patients. Methods: A clinical trial involving 90 CT patients (align with inclusion and exclusion criteria) with specific cancers was conducted at a hospital at Kashan. Sample size was calculated with G*Power software. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups of P6, K-K9, and Li5 (placebo), receiving acupressure interventions for five days. The CINV were assessed using the Rhodes Index one hour after the intervention and at the end of each day during CT. The need for additional anti-nausea medication was also recorded. Results: Eighty-one patients (after the exclusion of nine patients) with a mean age of 52.35 ± 11.82 years were analyzed. The majority of participants (70.37%) were female. The mean score of CINV differed significantly among the three groups from days two to five. According to post-hoc tests (P < 0.05), the mean CINV on days two to four differed between the placebo group and the two main groups (P < 0.05). The difference between the P6 and K-K9 groups on these days was not statistically significant. The mean CINV on day five was significantly different between only the K-K9 and Li5 groups (P = 0.02). The amount of additional anti-nausea medication needed varied among the three groups across the six measurements. Conclusions: Both acupressure points P6 and K-K9 are more effective at controlling CINV in CT patients than the Li5 (placebo) point is. However, the K-K9 point had a relative impact on reducing nausea levels and the usage of anti-nausea medication over the P6 point. It is recommended to use acupressure on both points to manage CINV effectively. Although based on a specific population of CT patients, these findings may inform the effectiveness of interventions in similar clinical settings and warrant further testing in diverse populations to enhance their generalizability.