Magnetic acupuncture for post-op nausea and vomiting
 This study assessed magnetic acupressure to prevent nausea and vomiting following ear-nose-throat (ENT) or gynecological surgeries.
But should we apply these findings to other forms of acupuncture?
First, the details.
- 58 patients were randomly assigned to a magnet patch or a placebo patch.
- 33 had ENT procedures
- 25 had gynecological procedures
- The patch was applied to the P6 site 15 minutes before surgery.
- Anesthesia was standardized for all patients.
- Neither the patients nor researchers were aware of the treatment assigned — double-blind.
And, the results.
- There was no difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting between magnet treatment (47%) and placebo (54%).
- Patients receiving the magnet had a similar satisfaction level (75% satisfied) vs placebo (73% satisfied).
- Magnet-treated patients had similar pain and nausea and vomiting scores to placebo.
- A similar percentage of patients in each group received postoperative pain drugs.
- There was no difference in the use of antiemetics.
The bottom line?
The negative results should probably not be applied to all forms of acupuncture.
Why?
- Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina reported that acupuncture may be a useful adjunct for acute postoperative pain management.
- A study reported at the American Society of Anesthesiologists meeting concluded that 2 hours after surgery, significantly more patients receiving acupuncture had no nausea or vomiting and required no antiemetics to reduce nausea and vomiting compared to placebo.
2/5/09 21:30 JR