9.2 Scientific Research According to ChannelsA Chinese prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial (n163) investigated the effect of acupoint stick-
ers at P-6, Ren-8and T.B.-18on motion sickness. All tested
acupuncture points showed a significantly better result than the
active control points (scopolamine plaster) and the placebo control
(lactose plaster). T.B.-18 was the most effective point (symptoms
100% reduced), followed by Ren-8 (81%) and P-6 (46%). Pei et al,
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1998
A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n50)
compared two forms of anaesthesia for the anterior approach
cervical discectomy: local anaesthesia plus intravenous anaes-
thesia (IVA) in the control group and electro-acupuncture at P-6
and L.I.-4plus IVA. The effect of the anaesthesia was the same
in both groups. The authors therefore recommend electro-
acupuncture at P-6 and L.I.-4 as a less risky alternative. Li et al,
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1997
A British prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial (n81) investigated the effect of intra-operative
acupuncture at P-6in the prevention of postoperative nausea
and vomitingin patients undergoing gynaecological laparo-
scopic surgery. The use of acupuncture significantly reduced
the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting by 30–38%
compared with placebo. Al-Sadi et al, Anaesthesia 1997
A US prospective, randomised, placebo- and sham-controlled,
double-blinded trial (n75) investigated the effect of acupres-
sure at P-6on nausea and vomiting during caesarean section
under spinal anaesthesiacompared with administration of
10 mg metoclopramide. Acupressure at P-6 is as effective as
10 mg metoclopramide. Stein et al, Anesth Analg 1997
An Australian prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled,
double-blinded trial (n84) investigated the effect of TENS at
P-6and L.I.-4on postoperative nausea and vomitingin pae-
diatric patientsundergoing minor urological surgery. The
differences between the treatment and control group were not
statistically significant. Schwager et al, Anaesth Intensive
Care 1996
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, sham-controlled, single-
blinded experimental trial (n48) evaluated the relationship
between electro-acupuncture at P-6and ST-36and cardiopul-
monary function in healthy subjects. In the P-6/ST-36 group
resting heart rate, carbon dioxide productionand oxygen
requirement were significantly decreased, indicating that
acupuncture can lower the metabolic rate. Lin et al, Chin Med
J (Engl) 1996
A Taiwanese prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial (n60) investigated the effect of acupressure
wristbands at P-6on the incidence of nausea and vomiting
after epidural morphine for post-caesarean section pain
relief. Compared to the control group, the incidence of nausea
significantly decreased from 43% to 3%, vomiting significantly
decreased from 27% to 0%. Ho et al, Acta Anaesthesiol Scand
1996
A US prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-
blinded cross-over study (n9) investigated the effect of
acupressure wristbands at P-6on nausea and vomiting for sea-
sickness. Depending on the time of application (earlier or later
during the trip) subjects were either symptom-free or com-
plained about nausea and vomiting. The difference was highly
significant. Bertolucci et al, Aviat Space Environ Med 1995
A US prospective, randomised, placebo- and sham-controlled,
single-blinded experimental trial (n9) investigated the effect
of acupressure at P-6on the incidence of visually-induced
motion sickness. Acupressure at P-6 significantly reduced the
incidence of nausea and abnormal gastric myoelectric activity.
Hu et al, Aviat Space Environ Med 1995
A Chinese prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n40)
investigated the effect of acupuncture on P-6, L.I.-4, ST-36and
KID-4on the regulation of cellular immune function in patients
with malignant tumours. There was a highly significant increase
of the CD3+ and CD4+ levels, an increase in the CD4+/CD8+
ratio, a higher endorphin level and a decreased level of soluble
interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R). Wu, Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 1995
A British prospective, randomised, controlled trial (n46)
investigated the effect of acupressure at P-6on nausea and
vomitingfollowing laparoscopyfor gynaecological surgery
and the requirement for anti-emetic therapy. There was a signif-
icant reduction in the requests for anti-emetic therapy in the P-6-
acupuncture group. Allen et al, Anaesth Intensive Care 1994
A Chinese prospective paired trial (n40) investigated the
effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at P-6during different times
of the day (chen-time: 7–9am, xu-time: 7–9pm) on left ventricu-
lar function (LVF) in patients with coronary heart disease. EA
performed at chen-time improved LVF, while EA administered
under the same conditions during xu-time led to an impairment
of LVF. Li et al, J Tradit Chin Med 1994
A British prospective case study (n27) reports that wearing a
special wrist band decreased pregnancy-related nausea and
vomitingmore than 50%. Stainton et al, Health Care Women
Int 1994
A US prospective, randomised, sham-controlled, single-blinded
trial (n60) investigated the effect of acupressure at P-6on
pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. There was a signifi-
cant decrease of nausea in the P-6 acupressure group. The inci-
dence of vomiting did not differ from the sham control group.
Belluomini et al, Obstet Gynecol 1994
A German prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-
blinded trial (n60) investigated the effect of acupressure at
P-6on nauseain patients undergoing gynaecological opera-
tions of longer duration(6–8 h). Nausea was reduced from
53% in the placebo group to 23% in the acupressure group.
Gieron et al, Anaesthesist 1993
A Chinese prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-
blinded trial (n15) investigated the effect of acupuncture at
P-6, HE-7and HE-3on the frequency and duration of angina
pectorisduring exercise. The control groups received either
sham acupuncture or no treatment at all. In the verum group, the
anginal attack occurred significantly later and the duration of the
attack after stopping the exercise was significantly shorter than