Presentation summary

Introduction :
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common side effect experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Notably, a significant proportion of these cases,approximately 40%, are classified as severe. This research investigates the efficacy of press needle therapy inalleviating the symptoms of pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Method :
This study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients who met the inclusion andexclusion criteria were randomized into two groups. The same auricular acupuncture points were used in bothgroups (Shenmen, Stomach, and Master Cerebral point). The outcomes measured were RINVR (RhodesIndex of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching) score and ‘time to event’ in days for survival analysis.

Results :
Sixty-four patients were randomized into two groups : intervention group and control group. RINVR scores were significantly different between the two groups on 3rd day after chemotherapy (p=0.043; Mann-Whitney test), and there was a significant decrease in RINVR score in intervention group (p<0.05; Wilcoxontest). From survival analysis during the observation period until 7 days after chemotherapy, 62.5% in thecontrol group and 84.4% in the intervention group did not experience vomiting (HR was 0.390; 95%CI 0.137 to1.109), while 53.1% in the control group and 71.9% in the intervention group did not experience nausea (HRwas 0.572; 95%CI 0.250 to 1.308).

Conclusion :
It can be concluded that the acupuncture can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting symptoms in pediatric cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Further studies are required to investigate the moredetailed mechanisms, and the sustained effects of acupuncture after treatment.