Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Use of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Control of Anticancer Therapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer

Part of the book series: Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine ((ACAM,volume 3))

Abstract

Anticancer-related adverse events, particularly chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, are significant problems for both healthcare professionals and patients. The use of alternative medicine is receiving more recognition for control of such adverse events as an adjunct therapy along with administration of anti-emetics. This chapter examines the current available research evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion for reducing anticancer treatment-induced nausea and vomiting as well as safety of such treatments, searching the major databases resulted in four systematic reviews and three new trials being identified and reviewed. These evidence supports the use of acupoint-stimulation for reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in both adult and pediatric cancer patients with very low risk of serious adverse events. Concerning different stimulation methods, acupressure on pericardium meridian demonstrate reasonably strong evidence for reducing the severity of acute nausea. Electroacupuncture on pericardium meridian can alleviate acute vomiting. In contrast, manual acupuncture and non-invasive stimulation methods fail to provide strong evidence for such effect. A meta-analysis of two small-scale studies showed significantly beneficial effects of moxibustion but further large-scale studies are needed to provide indisputable recommendations for practice. Overall, well-designed studies with a large sample size are needed for developing a solid evidence base that promotes acupuncture and moxibustion in cancer care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alimi, D., Rubino, C., Pichard-Léandri, E., Fermand-Brulé, S., Dubreuil-Lemaire, M. L., & Hill, C. (2003). Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: A randomized, blinded, controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 21, 4120–4126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allais, G., Rolando, S., Castagnoli, G. I., Burzio, C., Airola, G., Borgogno, P., et al. (2012). Acupressure in the control of migraine-associated nausea. Neurology Science, 33, S207–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blancquaert, J., Lefebvre, R. A., & Willems, J. L. (1986). Emetic and antiemetic effects of opioids in the dog. European Journal of Pharmacology, 128, 143–150.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butkovic, D., Toljan, S., Matolic, M., Kralik, S., & Radesić, L. (2005). Comparison of laser acupuncture and metoclopramide in PONV prevention in children. Paediatric Anaesthesia, 15, 37–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, J., Xiao, X. H., & Tang, X. Y. (1997). Elemene fluorouracil Moxibustion “Shenque” effect in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer observed. Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 24, 549–550.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, D., Briggs, D. B., & Strominger, N. (1984). Peptide-induced emesis in dogs. Behavioural Brain Research, 11, 277–281.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassileth, B., Deng, G. E., Gomez, J. E., Johnstone, P. A., Kumar, N., & Vickers, A. J. (2007). American College of Chest Physicians. Complementary therapies and integrative oncology in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd ed.). Chest, 132, 340S–354S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, L., Zhang, A. L., Liu, H. E., Cheng, M. H., Lam, H. B., & Lo, S. K. (2009). The efficacy of acupoint stimulation for the management of therapy-related adverse events in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 118, 255–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, K., Jiang, Y., Wen, H., Lu, X. Z., Lu, L., Wang, H. et al. (2000). Clinical study on treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by radio and chemotherapy with supplementary moxibustion on Shenque point. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 20, 733–735.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choo, S., Kong, K., Lim, W., Gao, F., Chua, K., & Leong, S. (2006). Electroacupuncture for refractory acute emesis caused by chemotherapy. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12, 963–969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Qian, L., Ouyang, H., & Yin, J. (2003). Gastric electrical stimulation with short pulses reduces vomiting but not dysrhythmias in dogs. Gastroenterology, 124, 401–409.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Costello, D. J., & Borison, H. L. (1977). Naloxone antagonizes narcotic self blockade of emesis in the cat. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 203, 222–230.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cubeddu, L., Lindley, C. M., Wetsel, W., Carl, P. L., & Negro-Vilar, A. (1990). Role of angiotensin II and vasopressin in cisplatin-induced emesis. Life Sciences, 46, 699–705.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, G., Cassileth, B. R., Cohen, L., Gubili, J., Johnstone, P. A., & Kumar, N. (2007). Society for integrative oncology executive committee. Integrative oncology practice guidelines. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 5, 65–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dibble, S. L., Chapman, J., Mack, K. A., & Shih, A. S. (2000). Acupressure for nausea: Results of a pilot study. Oncology Nursing Forum, 27, 41–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dibble, S. L., Luce, J., Cooper, B. A., Israel, J., Cohen, M., Nussey, B., et al. (2007) Acupressure for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: A randomized clinical trial. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34, 813–820.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dundee, J., Ghaly, R. G., Fitzpatrick, K. T., Lynch, G. A., & Abram, W. P. (1987). Acupuncture to prevent cisplatin-associated vomiting. Lancet, 1, 1083.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dundee, J., Sourial, F. B., Ghaly, R. G., & Bell, P. F. (1988). P6 acupressure reduces morning sickness. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 81, 456–457.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C., Carmichael, J., Baylis, P. H., & Harris, A. L. (1989). Arginine vasopressin—a mediator of chemotherapy induced emesis? British Journal of Cancer, 59, 467–470.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ezzo, J., Richardso, M. A., Vickers, A., Allen, C., Dibble, S. L., Issell, B. F., et al. (2006). Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), 19, CD002285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foss, J., Yuan, C. S., Roizen, M. F., & Goldberg, L. P. (1998). Prevention of apomorphine- or cisplatin-induced emesis in the dog by a combination of methylnaltrexone and morphine. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 42, 287–291.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gottschling, S., Reindl, T. K., Meyer, S., Berrang, J., Henze, G., Graeber, S., et al. (2008). Acupuncture to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology—a randomized multicenter crossover pilot trial. Klinische Pädiatrie, 220, 365–370.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, S., Yang, J., & Zhang, M. (2007). Contrast study for the effects of different administration route of dexamethasone on gastrointestinal reaction induced by chemotherapy. Advanced Nursing, 22, 399–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y. F. (2006). Acupressure and psychological intervention for emesis due to chemotherapy on the patients with mammary cancer. Guangxi Medical Journal, 28, 738–739.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, S., Stern, R. M., & Koch, K. L. (1992). Electrical acustimulation relieves vection-induced motion sickness. Gastroenterology, 102, 1854–1858.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jadad, A., Moore, R. A., Carroll, D., Jenkinson, C., Reynolds, D. J., Gavaghan, D. J., et al. (1996). Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: Is blinding necessary? Controlled Clinical Trials, 17,, 1–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jindal, V., Ge, A., & Mansky, P. J. (2008). Safety and efficacy of acupuncture in children: A review of the evidence. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 30, 431–442.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, M., Chey, W. D., Owyang, C., & Hasler, W. L. (1997). Role of plasma vasopressin as a mediator of nausea and gastric slow wave dysrhythmias in motion sickness. The American Journal of Physiology, 272, G853–G862.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ladas, E., Rooney, D., Taromina, K., Ndao, D. H., & Kelly, K. M. (2010). The safety of acupuncture in children and adolescents with cancer therapy-related thrombocytopenia. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 18, 1487–1490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M., Choi, T. Y., Park, J. E., Lee, S. S., & Ernst, E. (2010a) Moxibustion for cancer care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer, 10, 130.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M., Kang, J. W., & Ernst, E. (2010b) Does moxibustion work? An overview of systematic reviews. BMC Research Notes, 3, 284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, J., & Chen, W. (2008). Acupuncture analgesia: A review of its mechanisms of actions. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 36, 635–645.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, X., Liang, J., Ren, J., Mu, F., Zhang, M., & Chen, J. (1997). Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points enhances gastric myoelectrical activity in humans. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 92, 1527–1530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, L. (2009) Acupuncture as a complementary therapy in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Proceedings of the Baylor University Medical Center, 22, 138–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manheimer, E., Wieland, S., Kimbrough, E., Cheng, K., & Berman, B. M. (2009). Evidence from the cochrane collaboration for traditional chinese medicine therapies. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15, 1001–1014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, C., Dundee, J. W., & Abram, W. P. (1991). Enhancement of the antiemetic action of ondansetron by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the P6 antiemetic point, in patients having highly emetic cytotoxic drugs. British Journal of Cancer, 64, 971–972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melchart, D., Ihbe-Heffinger, A., Leps, B., von Schilling, C., & Linde, K. (2006). Acupuncture and acupressure for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea-a randomised cross-over pilot study. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 14, 878–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molassiotis, A., Helin, A. M., Dabbour, R., & Hummerston, S. (2007). The effects of P6 acupressure in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 15, 3–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, D. K., Chow, P., & Ming, S. (2004). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture for the treatment of childhood persistent allergic rhinitis. Pediatrics, 114, 1242–1247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ning, C. H. (2004). Contrast observation on injection metoclopramide in different acupuncture point for the treatment of emesis after chemical treatment to mammary cancer. Guiding Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, 10, 39–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noga, S., Tolman, A., & Roman, J. (2002). Acupressure as an adjunct to pharmacologic control of nausea, vomiting and retching (N/V) during blood and marrow transplantation (BMT): A randomized, placebo-controlled, algorithm based study. Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 21, 361a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nystrom, E., Ridderstrom, G., & Leffler, A. (2008). Manual acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment of nausea in patients with cancer in palliative care–a prospective, observational pilot study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 26, 27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearl, M., Fischer, M., McCauley, D. L., Valea, F. A., & Chalas, E. (1999). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an adjunct for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic oncology patients. Cancer Nursing, 22, 307–311.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radmayr, C., Schlager, A., Studen, M., & Bartsch, G. (2001). Prospective randomized trial using laser acupuncture versus desmopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. European Urology, 40, 201–205.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reindl, T., Geilen, W., Hartmann, R., Wiebelitz, K. R., Kan, G., Wilhelm, I., et al. (2006). Acupuncture against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology. Interim results of a multicenter crossover study. Support Care Cancer, 14, 172–176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, J., Morrow, G., & Bushunow, P. (2002). Acustimulation wristbands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 8, 56–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, J. A., Morrow, G. R., Hickok, J. T., Bushunow, P., Pierce, H. I., Flynn, P. J., et al. (2003). The efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation wrist bands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 26, 731–742.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, J., Matteson, S. E., Morrow, G. R., Hickok, J. T., Bushunow, P., Griggs, J., et al. (2005). Acustimulation wrist bands are not effective for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea in women with breast cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 29, 376–384.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rusy, L. M., Hoffman, G. M., & Weisman, S. J. (2002). Electroacupuncture prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting following pediatric tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Anesthesiology, 96, 300–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlager, A., Offer, T., & Baldissera, I. (1998). Laser stimulation of acupuncture point P6 reduces postoperative vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 81, 529–532.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen, J., Wenger, N., Glaspy, J., Hays, R. D., Albert, P. S., Choi, C., et al. (2000). Electroacupuncture for control of myeloablative chemotherapy-induced emesis: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 284, 2755–2761.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shenkman, Z., Holzman, R. S., Kim, C., Ferrari, L. R., DiCanzio, J., Highfield, E. S., et al. (1999). Acupressure-acupuncture antiemetic prophylaxis in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Anesthesiology, 90, 1311–1316.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Somri, M., Vaida, S. J., Sabo, E., Yassain, G., Gankin, I., & Gaitini, L. A. (2001). Acupuncture versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative vomiting. A study of children undergoing dental surgery. Anaesthesia, 56, 972–932.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streitberger, K., Friedrich-Rust, M., Bardenheuer, H., Unnebrink, K., Windeler, J., Goldschmidt, H., et al. (2003). Effect of acupuncture compared with placebo-acupuncture at P6 as additional antiemetic prophylaxis in high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: A randomized controlled single-blind trial. Clinical Cancer Research: An Official Journal of The American Association for Cancer Research, 9, 2538–2544.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, T. (2011). Mechanism of acupuncture on neuromodulation in the gut–a review. Neuromodulation, 14, 8–12 (discussion 12).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tatewaki, M., Strickland, C. & Fukuda, H. (2005). Effects of acupuncture on vasopressin-induced emesis in conscious dogs. American JJournal of Physiology, Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 288, R401–R408.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Treish, I., Shord, S., Valgus, J., Harvey, D., Nagy, J., Stegal, J., et al. (2003). Randomized double-blind study of the Reliefband as an adjunct to standard antiemetics in patients receiving moderately-high to highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer, 11, 516–521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Urroz, P., Colagiuri, B., Smith, C.A., & Cheema, B.S. (2012). Effect of acute acupuncture treatment on exercise performance and postexercise recovery: a systematic review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S. M., & Kain, Z. N. (2002). P6 acupoint injections are as effective as droperidol in controlling early postoperative nausea and vomiting in children. Anesthesiology, 97, 359–366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2003). Acupuncture: Review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials: 87. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Y., Wang, J. L., – Du, H. Y. (2005). Contrast observation on injection metoclopramide in acupuncture point for the treatment of emesis after chemical treatment to 100 patients with cancer. Central Plains Medical Journal, 32, 58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Shang, H., Gao, X., & Ernst, E. (2010). Acupuncture-related adverse events: A systematic review of the Chinese literature. Bull World Health Organ, 88, 915C–921C.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Rie Konno

  2. Neurosurgery Department, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Aye A. Gyi

Authors
  1. Rie Konno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aye A. Gyi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rie Konno .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

    William C.S. Cho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Konno, R., Gyi, A. (2012). Use of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Control of Anticancer Therapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting. In: Cho, W. (eds) Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer. Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4833-0_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4833-0_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4832-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4833-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation