The Effectiveness of Acupressure on Nausea, Vomiting and Retching Among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in Selected Hospitals at Indore

Abstract

Carcinoma is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. It is noted that among chemotherapeutic side effects’ the most distressful events are nausea, vomiting and retching. In such cases, alternative therapy like p6 acupressure plays a vital role. Therefore, a study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on nausea, vomiting and retching among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. An evaluative approach with quasi experimental nonrandomized control group design was used for the study. 40 cancer patients (20 subjects both in experimental and control group) were selected from hospitals of Indore by non-probability convenient sampling technique. A Standardized Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching scale was used to collect the data. On day 2nd, the pretest was given by using structured Rhodes index of nausea, vomiting and retching scale. Posttest was conducted on the 5th day by using the same tool. There was statistically significant difference seen in the posttest mean scores of nausea, vomiting and retching between the Experimental and the Control Groups, with a lower mean score of nausea, vomiting and retching in the Experimental Group. The findings of the study proved that the intervention ‘Acupressure’ was successful in reducing the score of nausea, vomiting and retching in the Experimental Group of patients.