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Acupuncture Point P6 Stimulation for Reduction of Nausea and Vomiting During Cesarean

Is Intra-operative Acupuncture Point P6 Stimulation as Effective as Traditional Pharmacotherapy in Reducing Nausea and Vomiting During Cesarean Section With Regional Anesthesia?

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02959840
Enrollment
180
Registered
2016-11-09
Start date
2015-07-31
Completion date
2017-08-23
Last updated
2017-09-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Nausea, Satisfaction, Vomiting

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of acupressure point P6 stimulation versus intravenous ondansetron plus metoclopramide versus no antiemetic prophylaxis during elective cesarean section under regional anesthesia.

Detailed description

The design of the study consists of the randomization of subjects undergoing cesarean section with regional anesthesia in one of three groups. The study is not blinded; as the participants will know which method they are being treated with because of the difference in site and nature of the acupuncture point P6 stimulation. The randomization of patients will be done by a computer to avoid bias before the informed consent form (ICF) is signed by the patients. The computer will generate three sets of random numbers for the three groups. Once the consent form is signed, the investigator will allocate the patients serially to the groups having those numbers . The randomization will be created before the study begins and will assign 180 subjects into one of the three groups to receive the treatment as follows: Group I (n=60): Will be the control group patients and will not be given traditional medical therapy nor will receive acupuncture point P6 stimulation prior to administration of the standardized epidural anesthesia, as outlined below. Group II (n=60): Will receive traditional medical management, consisting of 10 mg metoclopramide IV and 8 mg of ondansetron IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia, as outlined below. Group III (n=60): Will receive acupuncture point P6 stimulation. This is a stimulation of the chi channel at the master of the heart (MH8 position) at the small depression of the volar surface of the distal right forearm just above the crest of the wrist. The device will be put on the patients in the operating room prior to administration of the regional anesthesia and will be removed after the cesarean section is complete. The device will be removed from the patient in the operating room, before the patient is transported to the recovery room. Patients will receive continuous stimulation at a level that is comfortable for the patient prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia, as outlined below. After the subjects have been randomly assigned to one of the three groups, subjects will receive the standardized regional anesthesia consisting of 2 milliliters (10 milligrams) of 0.5% bupivicaine and 20 micrograms of fentanyl and 100 micrograms of epinephrine. Patients will offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea every experienced). An Apfel score, which is used to predict the risk of experiencing post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), will also be determined with each subject.

Interventions

DEVICEAcupressure Point P6 stimulator

This device stimulates the chi channel at the master of the heart (MH8 position) at the small depression of the volar surface of the distal right forearm just above the crest of the wrist. The device is placed on patients in the operating room prior to administration of the regional anesthesia and will be removed after the cesarean section is complete. The device is removed from the patient in the operating room, before the patient is transported to the recovery room. Patients receive continuous stimulation at a level that is comfortable for the patient prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia.

DRUGMetoclopramide

10 mg Reglan IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia.

DRUGOndansetron

8 mg of Zofran IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia.

Sponsors

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Female subjects ages 18 to 45 2. Subjects with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I or II 3. Subjects with elective primary or repeat cesarean delivery 4. Subjects who receive combined spinal epidural anesthesia 5. English and non-English speaking subjects will be included in the study

Exclusion criteria

1. Female subjects \<18 years of age 2. Subjects requiring emergent cesarean delivery 3. History of placenta accrete 4. Multiple gestation pregnancy 5. ASA status III or higher 6. Current history of pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia 7. History of any chronic medication use (other than prenatal vitamins), including inhaler medications 8. Current urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or otitis media

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
NauseaDuring the surgical procedureThe investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea at any point during the surgical procedure in each group.
VomitingDuring the surgical procedureThe investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during the procedure. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Nausea During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)During the surgical procedurePatients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage III. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.
Nausea During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)During the surgical procedurePatients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage IV. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.
Vomiting During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)During the surgical procedureThe investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage I. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.
Vomiting During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)During the surgical procedureThe investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage II. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.
Nausea During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)During the surgical procedurePatients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage I. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.
Vomiting During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)During the surgical procedureThe investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage IV. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.
Satisfaction of Anti-emetic TreatmentDuring the surgical procedurePatients are asked their anti-emetic treatment satisfaction (0 = Not Satisfied, 10 = Extremely Satisfied). Data are expressed as number of parturients who gave a score of 8 or higher.
Overall Anesthetic Care SatisfactionDuring the surgical procedurePatients are asked their overall anesthetic care satisfaction (0 = Not Satisfied, 10 = Extremely Satisfied). Data are expressed as number of parturients who gave a score of 8 or higher.
Vomiting During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)During the surgical procedureThe investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage III. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.
Nausea During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)During the surgical procedurePatients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage II. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Control
No anti-emetic medications and no acupuncture point P6 stimulation prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia
60
Metoclopramide, Ondansetron
10 mg Metoclopramide IV and 8 mg of Ondansetron IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia Metoclopramide: 10 mg Reglan IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia. Ondansetron: 8 mg of Zofran IV immediately prior to administration of the standardized regional anesthesia.
60
Acupressure Point P6 Stimulator
Acupuncture point P6 stimulation. The device was put on the patients in the operating room prior to administration of the regional anesthesia and was removed after the cesarean section was complete.
60
Total180

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalMetoclopramide, OndansetronAcupressure Point P6 StimulatorControl
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
180 Participants60 Participants60 Participants60 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
180 participants60 participants60 participants60 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
180 Participants60 Participants60 Participants60 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 600 / 600 / 60
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 600 / 600 / 60
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 600 / 600 / 60

Outcome results

Primary

Nausea

The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea at any point during the surgical procedure in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlNausea44 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronNausea14 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorNausea22 Participants
p-value: <0.00001Chi-squared
p-value: 0.00005Chi-squared
p-value: 0.1Chi-squared
Primary

Vomiting

The investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during the procedure. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlVomiting27 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronVomiting10 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorVomiting8 Participants
p-value: 0.001Chi-squared
p-value: 0.0002Chi-squared
p-value: 0.8Chi-squared
Secondary

Nausea During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)

Patients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage I. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlNausea During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)33 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronNausea During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)7 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorNausea During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)14 Participants
p-value: 0.00004Chi-squared
p-value: 0.0004Chi-squared
p-value: 0.09Chi-squared
Secondary

Nausea During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)

Patients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage II. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlNausea During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)12 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronNausea During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)6 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorNausea During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)5 Participants
p-value: 0.1Chi-squared
p-value: 0.07Chi-squared
p-value: 0.7Chi-squared
Secondary

Nausea During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)

Patients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage III. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlNausea During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)16 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronNausea During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)8 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorNausea During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)14 Participants
p-value: 0.7Chi-squared
p-value: 0.7Chi-squared
p-value: 0.2Chi-squared
Secondary

Nausea During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)

Patients offer their subjective assessments of the level of nausea on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no nausea, 10 = worst nausea ever experienced) during stage IV. The investigators will analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that experience nausea in each group at this point. Patients that report nausea (1 or more on our scale) will be recorded as that they have experienced nausea.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlNausea During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)3 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronNausea During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)4 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorNausea During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)0 Participants
p-value: 1Chi-squared
p-value: 0.2Chi-squared
p-value: 0.1Chi-squared
Secondary

Overall Anesthetic Care Satisfaction

Patients are asked their overall anesthetic care satisfaction (0 = Not Satisfied, 10 = Extremely Satisfied). Data are expressed as number of parturients who gave a score of 8 or higher.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlOverall Anesthetic Care Satisfaction53 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronOverall Anesthetic Care Satisfaction58 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorOverall Anesthetic Care Satisfaction56 Participants
p-value: 0.2Fisher Exact
p-value: 0.5Fisher Exact
p-value: 0.7Fisher Exact
Secondary

Satisfaction of Anti-emetic Treatment

Patients are asked their anti-emetic treatment satisfaction (0 = Not Satisfied, 10 = Extremely Satisfied). Data are expressed as number of parturients who gave a score of 8 or higher.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlSatisfaction of Anti-emetic Treatment49 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronSatisfaction of Anti-emetic Treatment58 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorSatisfaction of Anti-emetic Treatment55 Participants
p-value: 0.02Fisher Exact
p-value: 0.2Fisher Exact
p-value: 0.3Fisher Exact
Secondary

Vomiting During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)

The investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage I. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlVomiting During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)20 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronVomiting During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)5 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorVomiting During Stage I (After the Administration of CSE and Until Eversion of the Uterus)4 Participants
p-value: 0.001Chi-squared
p-value: 0.0004Chi-squared
p-value: 1Chi-squared
Secondary

Vomiting During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)

The investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage II. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlVomiting During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)10 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronVomiting During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)1 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorVomiting During Stage II (After Eversion of the Uterus and Until Replacement of the Uterus)3 Participants
p-value: 0.008Chi-squared
p-value: 0.07Chi-squared
p-value: 0.6Chi-squared
Secondary

Vomiting During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)

The investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage III. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlVomiting During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)9 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronVomiting During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)4 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorVomiting During Stage III (After Replacement of the Uterus and to the Next 15 Minutes)6 Participants
p-value: 0.2Chi-squared
p-value: 0.5Chi-squared
p-value: 0.7Chi-squared
Secondary

Vomiting During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)

The investigators will perform objective assessments of whether or not the patients have vomited during stage IV. The investigators will then analyze if there is a statistically significant difference between the number of patients that vomit in each group.

Time frame: During the surgical procedure

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ControlVomiting During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)0 Participants
Metoclopramide, OndansetronVomiting During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)2 Participants
Acupressure Point P6 StimulatorVomiting During Stage IV (the Rest of the Time Until Arrival at PACU)0 Participants
p-value: 1Chi-squared
p-value: 0.5Chi-squared
p-value: 0.5Chi-squared

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026