Acupuncture for Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and Vomiting Acupuncture Gold Coast

Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting Resaerch

[Positive effect]

For chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, acupuncture was rated as ‘effective’ in the Australian DVA review (2010) and was not reviewed separately to ‘cancer adverse effects’ in the USVA Evidence map of acupuncture (2014) (5, 6). In 2013, a systematic review of seven acupuncture and six acupressure RCTs found that acupuncture reduced the frequency of acute vomiting and the dose of rescue medication but did not reduce acute nausea severity or frequency compared to control. Acupressure showed a decrease in frequency of nausea but not acute vomiting or delayed symptoms. All studies used state-of-the-art combination anti-emetics in addition to acupuncture/acupressure. The reviewers rated the quality of evidence in the acupuncture studies as low to moderate while the acupressure studies were moderate to high quality. There was insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions due to underpowered studies (21). However, an updated systematic review by Garcia et al in 2014 (using 18 new RCTs) found that acupuncture is an appropriate referral option for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (55). On this basis, CINV has been rated as positive rather than potential positive in this review.

Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting Research

[Positive effect]

For post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), acupuncture was rated as ‘insufficient evidence’ in the Australian DVA review {2010} and ‘potential positive effect’ in the USVA Evidence map of acupuncture (2014) (5, 6). In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 RCTs on acupuncture and acupressure in 2013, both acupuncture and acupressure reduced the number of cases of early nausea and vomiting (up to 24 hours post-surgery) (56). In 2015, a Cochrane update of 59 RCTs on PC6 stimulation found that PC6 stimulation was superior to sham, and equivalent to modern anti-emetics (16).

The above research suggests that Acupuncture may provide beneficial outcomes however other papers did not have the same findings so the evidence is regarded as mixed.

Acupuncture Gold Coast Location

The Gold Coast Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic is located in the Albert Centre at 5/18 Ferry Street, Nerang.

This is also a great location for our customers in the surrounding suburbs of Nerang including Gilston, Highland Park, Mount Nathan, Carrara, Ashmore, Gaven, Molendinar, Worongary, Helensvale, Coomera, Hope Island, Oxenford, Upper Coomera, Pimpama, Ormeau, Maudsland, Willowvale and Tamborine Mountain.

Book your appointment

Acupuncture is available at our Nerang Clinic. If it is your first visit please make sure you arrive 5 minutes early to fill out paperwork. All our therapists are qualified and trained professionals.

Call our Clinic
You may call us at our Nerang clinic directly.

Phone: 5573 6601

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You may book an appointment online by clicking here

References

5. Biotext. Alternative therapies and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold and White Card arrangements. In: Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, editor: Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 2010.

6. Hempel S, Taylor SL, Solloway MR, Miake-Lye IM, Beroes JM, Shanman R, et al. VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Reports. Evidence Map of Acupuncture. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs; 2014.

16. Lee A, Chan SK, Fan LT. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point PC6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015(11):Cd003281.

21. McKeon C, Smith, C.A., Hardy, J. & Chang, E. Acupunctrue and acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting : a systematic review. Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. 2013;8(1):2-17.

55. Garcia MK, McQuade J, Lee R, Haddad R, Spano M, Cohen L. Acupuncture for symptom management in cancer care: an update. Curr Oncol Rep. 2014 Dec;16(12):418.

56. Cheong KB, Zhang JP, Huang Y, Zhang ZJ. The effectiveness of acupuncture in prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting–a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. 2013;8(12):e82474.