Effects of Korean hand acupressure on opioid-related nausea and vomiting, and pain after caesarean delivery using spinal anaesthesia

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effects of Korean hand acupressure on opioid-related nausea and vomiting, and pain after caesarean delivery.

Methods: Fifty participants were randomly assigned to an acupressure group or a control group. Korean hand acupressure discs were applied for 24 h onto 12 acupressure points (K-9, F-4 for nausea and vomiting; M-3, M-4, L-4, H-2, H-3, H-7 for abdominal pain; and I-38, J-2 for back pain). Nausea and vomiting incidences, the opioid-related symptom distress scale scores, and pain scores were analysed using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, or the repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results: The acupressure group had lower incidences of nausea and vomiting, as well as significant improvements in the opioid-related symptom distress scores for nausea, vomiting, and pain. The acupressure group required fewer rescue antiemetics and analgesics.

Conclusion: Korean hand acupressure can relieve nausea and vomiting, as well as pain after caesarean delivery.

Keywords: Acupressure; Caesarean delivery; Nausea; Opioid; Pain; Vomiting.