Auriculotherapy as a means of managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of auriculotherapy on managing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 128 pregnant women suffering from nausea and vomiting were selected and assigned to study groups. The data were collected using demographic information and Rhodes' questionnaires and analyzed in SPSS v.22.

Results: After intervention, the average nausea score of the Rhodes index declined significantly in patients in the intervention group (p < 0.001).However, there was no significant (p = 0.305) difference between the two groups regarding vomiting. The results of the repeated measures showed that interventions had a significant effect on the total score of the questionnaire and also the scores regarding nausea (p < 0.04).

Conclusion: The appropriate use of effective points on ears to control nausea and vomiting as a non-medicine and complementary treatment can alleviate nausea among pregnant women.

Keywords: Acupressure; Auriculotherapy; Complementary therapy; Nausea; Pregnancy; Vomiting.