Control of early morning sickness of pregnancy by acupressure technique

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effect of acupressure wrist bands on nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy Methodology: Ninety pregnant women of gestational age between 7-12 weeks were randomly recruited for a double blind, cross over, placebo controlled trial. Women were randomly divided into two groups. Two types of bands were used i.e., pressure band and placebo band for a ten days long trial, organized in two steps of four days each and a two days wash out period in between the steps. Result: Acupressure at Neiguan point has an antiemetic effect and this effect is more than that achieved by placebo band. More than 60% positive effect was found with pressure band as compared to 30% with placebo band. Acupressure may be used to treat pregnant women suffering from early morning sickness with a success rate of more than 60% by applying pressure at P6 point