Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the matching acupoints is more effective than a single point by electroacupuncture in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting .

Patients were assigned to Four sessions of electroacupuncture(EA) at the CV12, ST36, CV12+ST36 acupoints or antiemetic therapy over 5 days. primary and secondary outcomes and Adverse Eventswill be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be diagnosed as cancer and need to accept chemotherapy.
2. The score of Karnofsky ≥70
3. Patients of either gender and older than 18 years
4. Patients receiving chemotherapy both outpatients and inpatients
5. Patients receiving chemotherapy either he first or multiple cycle, but the patient will be taken in only one time
6. To receive chemotherapy containing cisplatin(DDP≥75mg/m2) or joint chemotherapy programmes of Anthracyclines(Adriamycin≥40mg/m2 or epirubicin≥60mg/m2)
7. Life expectancy≥ 6 months
8. Willing to participate in the study and be randomized into one of the four study groups.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. To receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy
2. Gastrointestinal tumors
3. Patients with serious liver disease or abnormal hepatorenal function (AST,ACT, and TBIL are 3 times more than normal, BUN and Cr are 2 times more than normal)
4. Presence of cardiac pacemaker
5. Active skin infection
6. Nausea and/or vomiting resulting from opioids or metabolic imbalance (electrolyte disturbances)
7. Patients unable to provide self-care or communication
8. Nausea and/or vomiting resulting from mechanical risk factors (i.e., intestinal obstruction)
9. Brain metastases
10. Women in pregnant and lactating period