Effect of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods Acupressure on point Neiguan was applied on 78 patients with gastrointestinal cancer during chemotherapy course. The Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting and Retching (INVR) was used to assess chemotherapy-induced nausea,vomiting and retch symptoms. Result The symptoms frequency and severity in nausea,vomiting and retch was significantly reduced (P0.01). Conclusion Acupressure can effectively reduce the frequency,duration and severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting,and thereby to improve the patients' tolerance with chemotherapy and alleviate the discomfort during chemotherapy course.