RESUMO
One of the major problems facing the clinician dealing with cancer patient is the post chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. This study aimed to assess the effect of acupressure as a method to manage nausea and vomiting post chemotherapy in leukemic children. The study was conducted in pediatric hematology oncology unit at Tanta university hospital from May to August 2010. A convenient sample of 60 children with acute lymphoblast leukemia [ALL] was included in the study .Their ages ranged between 6-18 years. All of them were under chemotherapy. They were divided into two equal groups, group 1 [received acupressure at p 6 acupoint plus routine hospital care, group 11 as a control group [received routine hospital care only]. Visual analog scale [VAS] and Rhodes index scale [INVR] were used to assess intensity, duration and frequency of nausea and vomiting post chemotherapy. Results revealed significant reduction in the amount of vomiting and the intensity of nausea over time among acupressure group, compared to the usual-care group. Concerning child distress from nausea and vomiting, significant improvement was detected regarding the duration, seventy and distress from nausea and vomiting after one hour as well as after 2-3 hours in comparison with immediately after one hour .But no significant between after one hour and 2-3 hours . In conclusion, Acupressure at the P6 point is a value-added technique in addition to pharmaceutical management for children undergoing chemotherapy to reduce the amount and intensity of nausea and vomiting. Thus should be applied to children undergoing chemotherapy