Ice massage on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of chemotherapy. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of ice massage applied to the pericardium 6 (P6 or Neigaun) acupuncture point on nausea– vomiting due to chemotherapy in cancer patient. In a randomized clinical trial one- blind, 114 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Ice massage group were massaged gently on the skin around P6 point of the hand with ice cube into a wet gauze pad for 7 minutes twice a day with 12-hours interval for 24 hours by the patient. Placebo group were massaged with wooden cube and the control group received no interventions. Nausea and vomiting in three groups rated by Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis (MANE) Questionnaire in 4 periods of time in 24 hours was used for the assessment of nausea and vomiting. There were significant decreases in the frequency of nausea (P<0.01) and vomiting (P<0.03) and a decrease in the intensity of nausea (P=0.63) and vomiting (P=0.34) in the case group. Frequency of nausea was significantly lower among placebo group than the control group (P<0.02). Ice massage on Neigaun point is effective on reducing the frequency of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. Placebos, patient-practitioner relationship, suggestion, and the patient's view on nausea and vomiting and the role of interaction between the therapist and the patient is effective to some extent.