OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of Korean hand acupressure on opioid-related nausea and vomiting, and pain after caesarean delivery.

METHODS

Fifty participants were randomly assigned to an acupressure group or a control group. Korean hand acupressure discs were applied for 24 h onto 12 acupressure points (K-9, F-4 for nausea and vomiting; M-3, M-4, L-4, H-2, H-3, H-7 for abdominal pain; and I-38, J-2 for back pain). Nausea and vomiting incidences, the opioid-related symptom distress scale scores, and pain scores were analysed using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, or the repeated-measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The acupressure group had lower incidences of nausea and vomiting, as well as significant improvements in the opioid-related symptom distress scores for nausea, vomiting, and pain. The acupressure group required fewer rescue antiemetics and analgesics.

CONCLUSIONS

Korean hand acupressure can relieve nausea and vomiting, as well as pain after caesarean delivery.