Effect of Nei-Guan point (P6) acupressure on ketonuria levels, nausea and vomiting in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine the effect of Nei-Guan point acupressure on nausea, vomiting and ketonuria levels in women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that acupressure application on the Nei-Guan point is effective in relieving nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and surgery. However, no findings have been supported by physiological data.

METHOD: A randomized control group pretest-post-test design was implemented from 1 April 2003 to 30 April 2004 using three groups: a Nei-Guan point acupressure group, a placebo group and a control group which received only conventional intravenous treatment. The participants were 66 women admitted to two general hospitals in Korea with hyperemesis gravidarum.

RESULTS: The degree of nausea and vomiting was statistically significantly lower in the Nei-Guan point acupressure group in comparison with the placebo and control groups. Ketonuria levels were reduced over time and, on days three and four of hospitalization, levels in the treatment group were statistically significantly lower than in the placebo or control groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Nei-Guan point acupressure is a useful treatment for relieving symptoms experienced by women with hyperemesis gravidarum.