Positive evidence for P6 acupuncture antiemesis.

An antiemetic action is claimed among other uses for acupuncture (ACP), and several antiemetic ACP points are described in textbooks. The most accessible of these is P6, so called because it is on the pericardial meridian. This is also known as Neiguan (Nei-kuan) or G-Jo point no. 10, and the simplest description of locating it is the width of two thumbs above the distal crease on the inner wrist, in line with the middle finger. Having seen acupressure at this point used as a preventative for morning sickness in China one of the authors (JWD) initiated a scientific study of the antiemetic action of stimulation of the P6 point. Concurrent with these studies, which started in 1984, others have carried out similar investigations. We here critically review both our own and other studies on this topic. While some workers refer to anti-nausea effect, the majority include both nausea and vomiting. Objections to including nausea which is a subjective sensation, are minimized by simply noting its presence and not attempting to quantify it although methods of quantifying it have been described.' Some attempt to quantify the severity of vomiting, based on the number of episodes, while others simply note its occurrence in a given time period. In the cancer chemotherapy field, while some quantify the severity of sickness, the majority of workers look at the reduction in sickness with different forms of therapy.