The effect of acupressure on post tonsillectomy nausea and vomiting in pediatrics: A randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly used pediatric surgeries. One of the frequent and unpleasant complications after this surgery is nausea and vomiting that affects many children. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of acupressure at P6 point on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after tonsillectomy in children.

Methodology: This clinical trial was conducted on 144 children, aged 5-12 years undergoing tonsillectomy. The children were randomly assigned to one of the three groups; intervention, control and sham groups. The acupressure was applied on the P6 point in the intervention group and sham acupressure was done in the sham group. Only routine care was performed in the control group. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis). The intensity of nausea and vomiting was recorded.

Results: The level of changes in the PONV score of children was significantly higher in the acupressure group (4.23 ± 11.34) compared with the sham (1.23 ± 7.34) and control (1.14 ± 6.56) groups. There was no significant relationship between PONV score and demographic characteristics in children in the three groups. No complications were observed.

Conclusion: Acupressure is a safe and free of complications method, and it is significantly more effective than routine prophylactic techniques in treating posttonsillectomy nausea and vomiting.

Citation: Pouy S, Yaghobi Y, Nabi BN, Majidi S. The effect of acupressure on post tonsillectomy nausea and vomiting in pediatrics: A randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study. Anaesth, pain & intensive care 2019;23(1):12-17