Approximately 70 percent of women w...

Approximately 70 percent of women who are pregnant have nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may have a significant impact forward the mother, her family, and others, of that kind as coworkers. Although several pharmacologic agents can contract symptoms, most women are reluctant to take medications during the first trimester of pregnancy, when nausea and vomiting are chiefly severe. Acupuncture is thought to be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of nausea and vomiting from stimulating the median nerve at P6 the Neiguan acupuncture point; however, clinical trials have produc contradictory accrues Rosen and colleagues studied the efficacy of noninvasive electrical stimulation (acustimulation) of the median fortify at the P6 point to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

The researchers recruited 230 women who were having nausea and vomiting for at least three days between six and 12 weeks of gestation. Women were exclud if they had other conditions that could cause nausea, had cardiac pacemakers, or had been treated with acupuncture previously. upon admission to the study, the patients complet a standardized questionnaire to document the severity and impact of their symptoms. Baseline assessments of height, weight, offspring pressure, urinary specific gravity, and ketonuria were obtained. The patients were assigned randomly to receive an active or a sham electrical stimulator and were told that they might be able to be wrought up the electric impulses. Patients could increase the intensity of the device to manage symptoms if necessary.

Patients were asked to full the symptom questionnaire in the morning and evening upon the first seven days of the consideration and on days 9, 11 13 17 and 21 Patients also recorded the amount of time they wore the device, the location of the device, intensity settings, the use of medications during the reflection and perceived side effects.

There were no statistically significant differences in women in the treatment clump (95 patients) compared with women in the superintend group (92 patients). Three patients from each collection withdrew from the study, on the other hand only one patient withdrew because of a moot point with the device. The change in symptom index in patients who received treatment was significantly better than the change in the govern group. In addition, 77 percent of treated patients gained weight during the thought compared with only 54 percent of patients in the curb group. Three episodes of dehydration were reported in patients receiving acustimulation (26 percent) compared with 12 episodes among patients in the curb group (10.6 percent). The clusters did not differ in the use of additional medication during the research period. Among women in the acustimulation assemblage 72 percent did not use additional medication, compared with 75 percent of women in the direct group.

The authors finish that nerve stimulation at the P6 Neiguan point renders symptoms of nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy and is associated with measurable improvement in well-being and weight gain.

Rosen T et al. A randomized controll trial of strengthen stimulation for relief of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol July 2003;102:129-35

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