Success of acupuncture and acupressure of the Pc 6 acupoint in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum

Habek, D.

Barbir, A.

Habek, J. C.

Janculiak, D.

Bobic-Vukovic, M.

Forschende Komplementärmedizin = Research in complementary medicine

2004

11(1)

20-23

RCT

CAM Control

Acu Versus > 1 Control

Acupressure

Acupuncture

Emesis

Fixed Acupuncture Protocol

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Penetrating Sham

Morning Sickness

Nausea

RCT

Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only

Superficial Needling Depth

Sham Acupressure

Sham Control

Verum Acupoint Control

Vomiting

Women's Health

Pregnancy Complications

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiemetic effect of acupuncture (AP) and acupressure (APr) of the Pc 6 acupoint in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Methods: A prospective, placebo-controlled trial included 36 pregnant women with HG. Two methods of acupuncture were used: bilateral manual AP of the Pc 6 (Neiguan) acupoint (group 1, n = 10) and bilateral APr of the Pc 6 acupoint (group 2, n = 11); furthermore, superficial intracutaneous placebo AP (group 3, n = 8) and placebo APr (group 4, n = 7) was carried out. Results: Anxiodepressive symptoms occurred in 9 pregnant women with HG from group 1, 8 women from group 2, 7 women from group 3, and 5 women from group 4 (p < 0.001). The average gestation age at the occurrence of HG symptoms and the beginning of treatment was 7 weeks in group 1 and 8 weeks in groups 2, 3, and 4. Four women from group 1 and 7 women from groups 2, 3, an 4 needed intravenous compensation of liquid and electrolytes. The antiemetic metoclopramide was given intravenously to 1 woman from group 1, 2 women from group 2, 6 women from group 3, and 4 women from group 4. Promethazine was given to 1 woman from group 2, 1 woman from group 3, and to 3 women from group 4. The efficiency of the HG treatment with AP of the point Pc 6 was 90%, with APr of the Pc 6 63.6%, with placebo AP 12.5%, and with placebo APr 0%. Conclusion: Acupuncture (p < 0.0001) and acupressure (p < 0.1) are effective, nonpharmacologic methods for the treatment of HG

Pregnancy Complications

>1/WK

36

1 Week