Positive Health Online

Abstract

SLOTNICK, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Suite 310, Hofheimer Hall, 825 Fairfax Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA, slotnirn@evms.edu, evaluated the safety and effectiveness of acustimulation at P6 to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with early pregnancy.

Background

Current pharmacological treatments for nausea in early pregnancy can be inconsistent or ineffective, cause unwanted side effects, or be associated with a risk of teratogenicity.

Methodology

41 women in early pregnancy and experiencing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy received acustimulation at point P6 with an acustimulation device. Patients self-rated severity of nausea pre-treatment, relief from nausea post-treatment and effectiveness of the device on scales of 1-5 (5 represented ‘most severe and debilitating nausea’, ‘significant or complete relief’ and ‘very easy to use’, respectively). Newborns were evaluated for congenital abnormalities.

Results

The average pre-treatment nausea severity score was 4.2; average post-treatment effectiveness was rated 4.2; the average score for device ease of use was 4.3. No congenital abnormalities were detected in the newborns.

Conclusion

Acustimulation of P6 for relieving nausea in early pregnancy may offer a useful alternative to pharmacological treatments.

References

Slotnick RN. Safe, successful nausea suppression in early pregnancy with P-6 acustimulation. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine 46 (9): 811-4. Sep 2001.