Effects of Nei-Guan (P6) Acupressure Wristband On Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching in Women After Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after thyroidectomy is a common health problem in the recovery room.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the Nei-Guan (P6) acupressure wristband for PONV among patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Methods: Sixty Korean female participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 20 each). The control group received usual care without the wristband. The placebo group received usual nursing care plus a wristband at the non-P6 site. The treatment group received usual care plus a wristband at the P6 acupoint 30 minutes before anesthesia; the wristband was removed before leaving the recovery room. Data were collected at 3 periods: in the recovery room and at 6 and 24 hours after surgery.

Results: The nausea scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than the scores of the placebo or control groups in the recovery room (F = 6.229, P = .044). There were no significant differences in vomiting or retching among the groups.

Conclusions: The P6 stimulation with wristband suppressed nausea right after thyroidectomy in the recovery room but did not suppress subsequent vomiting or retching.

Implication for Practice: The findings indicate that P6 acupressure has the short-term effect of relieving nausea but not vomiting and retching. Use of P6 wristband holds promise and suggests the need for further testing in a larger randomized clinical trial. Identifying other acupoints is recommended to achieve successful management of PONV.

KEYWORDS : Acupressure; Nausea; Thyroidectomy; Vomiting; Women