Written by Vinjar Fønnebø and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated May 21, 2009

Acupuncture and acupressure in the treatment of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting

Abstract and key points

  • The Neiguan (P6) point is stimulated either with an acupuncture needle (acupuncture) or by a wristband with a protruding knob or by finger pressure (acupressure).
  • Acupuncture and acupressure of Neiguan (P6) were shown to reduce some aspects of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting when given in conjunction with standard antiemetic treatments.
  • Acupuncture and acupressure appear to be generally safe.

Acupuncture or acupressure stimulation of the P6 point is a popular treatment for nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) claims that chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are due to the reversal of the gastrointestinal flow of "qi". Stimulation of P6 causes the qi to flow in the right (downward) direction. The antiemetic effect is likely mediated via the central opioid pathway.

Acupuncture and acupressure of Neiguan (P6) have been compared to no treatment or placebo treatment with regard to nausea and vomiting. Studies of acupuncture or acupressure given without concurrent standard anti-emetic treatment have not been performed. Fifteen human clinical trials and one animal trial were identified, one trial involved chemotherapy treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition one meta-analysis and one systematic review were considered. Acupuncture and acupressure of Neiguan (P6) were shown to reduce some aspects of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting when given in conjunction with standard antiemetic treatments. That acupuncture and acupressure can fully replace standard approaches to reduce nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients is unlikely.

Acupuncture and acupressure appear to be generally safe. It has been shown to cause mild transient adverse effects in about 10% of patients. It does, however, have few serious adverse effects.

Citation Vinjar Fønnebø, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Acupuncture/pressure for nausea and vomiting [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Alternative-Medical-Systems/Acupuncture-pressure-for-nausea-and-vomiting. May 21, 2009.

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