Persistent nausea remains one of the most distressing side effects of radiotherapy treatment despite advances in anti-emetic medication.

Stimulation of the Nei-Guan (P6) acupoint on the wrist has been used in Chinese medicine to treat nausea for over 4,500 years. Studies have demonstrated that acupressure wristbands can reduce postoperative nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy-induced nausea. This pilot study aimed to determine if they could also help reduce radiotherapy-induced nausea. There are no published reports of their use in this setting, thus this preliminary pilot was conducted before engaging in a major study.

A prospective, paired, cross-over study investigated the impact adding acupressure wristbands to the usual anti-emetic care had on radiotherapy-induced nausea. Over the trial period, 30 patients were recruited when they reported radiotherapy-induced nausea to radiotherapists. Their daily nausea levels were assessed for a fortnight using a simple questionnaire and an anti-emetic tablet count. Comparing the 2 weeks data for these patients showed that there was a dramatic drop in their scores when the acupressure wristbands were used. There was a mean score drop of 61% for the combined nausea and vomiting frequency and severity, i.e. a 61% improvement in quality of life.

This study suggested that acupressure wristbands might have a role to play in the treatment of radiotherapy-induced nausea. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to determine their exact role. They potentially offer several benefits when compared to anti-emetic medication. They are easy to use, have no side effects and are more economical since they are reusable. Furthermore, acupressure wristbands place the patient in control of their nausea to some degree. This in turn will make the patients feel less anxious, less depressed and reduce the common feelings of helplessness that often accompanies cancer patients.