Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure in the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy
Apithan Puangsricharern MD*, Supphachoke Mahasukhon MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok
Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of auricular acupressure in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in
early pregnancy.
Material and Method: Ninety-eight volunteer pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting in
early pregnancy before 14 weeks gestation were enrolled. The participants were randomized into two groups:
treatment group and control group. Each patient in the treatment group received magnet pellets, placed at
both auricles. They were taught to start acupressure from the third to the sixth day. Outcome measurement was
Rhodes index score, which describe the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting in the form of a
questionnaire. The patients from both groups were asked to complete and return the forms including the
amount of anti-emetic drug taken. Mean Rhodes index score and total number of anti-emetic drug taken from
day 4-6 were used to compare the treatment effect. Student’s t test, Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test
were used for statistical analysis.
Results : Ninety-one pregnant women who returned the questionnaires were evaluated. The Rhodes index
scores of the treatment group were lower than that of the control group especially after day 4 to day 6 when the
acupressure was started. However, when comparing the mean score between the two groups, there were no
statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). The total amount of anti-emetic tablets in day 4-6 after
acupressure intervention was compared and there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05)
between the groups.
Conclusion : Auricular acupressure therapy in treatment of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy may not
relieve nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy and need further clinical research to confirm the effectiveness.
Keywords : Acupressure, Nausea, Vomiting, Rhodes index, Pregnancy
