Positive Health Online

Abstract

SMITH and colleagues, Department of Obstetrics Gynaecology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia, evaluated acupuncture for the relief of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.

Background

Methodology

In a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 593 women less than 14 weeks’ pregnant and experiencing symptoms of nausea and vomiting received 1) traditional acupuncture, 2) pericardium (P6) acupuncture, 3) sham acupuncture or 4) no acupuncture. They received treatment once a week for 4 weeks.

Results

The traditional acupuncture group reported less nausea throughout the trial and less dry retching from week 3 compared with the no acupuncture group. The P6 acupuncture group reported less nausea from week 2 and less dry retching from week 3 compared with the no acupuncture group. The sham acupuncture group reported less nausea and dry retching from week 3 compared with the no acupuncture group. There were no differences between the groups with regard to vomiting.

Conclusion

Acupuncture was effective for relieving nausea and dry retching in early pregnancy. Some women showed a time-related placebo effect.

References

Smith C et al. Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Birth 29 (1): 1-9. Mar 2002.