Effect of acupressure on post-operative nausea and vomiting in cesarean section: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Because of potential side effects of chemical treatments and in order to decrease the risk of nausea and vomiting in post-operative patients, there is a necessary requirement for some alternative therapeutic methods such as Acupressure. AIM The present randomized clinical trial study aimed to compare the effects of Acupressure and Metoclopramide on postoperative nausea and vomiting in Caesarean Sections. SETTING AND DESIGN The patients who were subjected to caesarean surgeries, who were referred to the Ilam Mustafa Hospital in the west of Iran, were enrolled in this randomised clinical trial study. MATERIAL AND METHODS Totally, 102 patients who were selected for elective Caesarean Section were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups, with 34 cases in each group. All groups were matched for effective factors on nausea and vomiting in inclusion and exclusion criteria. The control group did not receive any intervention, the second group received 10 mg Metoclopramide intravenously, immediately prior to anaesthesia induction and in the third group, Acupressure bands were applied at the P6 points on both wrists, 15 minutes before anaesthesia induction. Intra-operative and post-operative emetic episodes were recorded by a trained investigator. The patients who experienced nausea were evaluated on a linear numeric scale which ranged from 0 (no) to 10 (severe). Statistics and Results: The incidence of nausea and vomiting in postoperative periods was lower in Metoclopramide and Acupressure groups as compared that in the control group. The frequency of anti-emetic which was used was significantly higher in control group as compared to those in the other groups (p<0.001). No side effects or complications were caused by any intervention. CONCLUSION In parturients who underwent caesarean deliveries which were performed under spinal anaesthesia in this study, use of Metoclopramide and Acupressure was found to be equally effective for reducing emetic symptoms (nausea, retching, and vomiting).