Positive Health Online

Abstract

GONG and COLLEAGUES,  (1)Department of Gynaecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; (2)Department of Oncology, Affifiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; (3)Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.; (4)Department of Nursing, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; (5)Department of Information, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China. : xjjx@ntu.edu.cn . aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure, a non-drug treatment for nausea and vomiting, during pregnancy

Background

Many women experience nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Regardless of the disease severity, it affects the work and life of pregnant women. However, drug treatment may potentially impact the foetus; thus, alternative safe and effective measures are essential. We aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure, a non-drug treatment for nausea and vomiting, during pregnancy.

Methodology

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched using 'pregnancy', 'nausea', 'vomiting', and 'acupressure' as keywords. The search period was from database inception to 30 November 2022. Two researchers independently screened articles, extracted data, and used RevMan 5.4 software for statistical analysis.

Results

We included 33 trials and 3 390 patients in this meta-analysis. Acupressure was effective for women with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (odds ratio (OR)= 4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.47, 6.68]; p<0.0001); it significantly reduced the nausea score of the Rhodes index (mean square deviation (MD): -3.21, 95% CI [-4.85, -1.57], Z = 3.83, p = 0.0001), modified Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea score (MD: -2.18, 95% CI [-3.21, -1.15], Z = 4.15, p<0.0001), and hospital stay (OR=-3.27, 95% CI [-6.18, -0.36]; p =0.03) and improved quality of life (MD: -14.06,95% CI [- 17.31, -10.18], Z = 8.48, p<0.00001). However, no significant difference was observed in nursing satisfaction and anxiety scores (OR=4.13, 95% CI [0.89, 19.15]; p = 0.07) (MD: -13.26,95% CI [-32.04,5.53], Z =1.38, p =0.17).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides evidence of a non-drug intervention for women with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy; acupressure effectively reduces nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

References

Gong J(1), Gu D(1), Wang H(2), Zhang F(3), Shen W(3), Yan H(4), Xie J(5). Effect of acupressure in nausea and vomiting treatment during pregnancy: A meta-analysis. Explore (NY). ;20(1):17-26. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.06.015. Epub Jul 29 2023 . Jan-Feb 2024.