(Integrative Medicine) - A new study by Duke University researchers has found that acupuncture may be just as effective in relieving nausea and pain after major breast surgery as the leading medication. The researchers presented their evidence this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans, Louisiana. Forty women undergoing breast surgery were randomly assigned to receive electroacupuncture, ondansetron (a drug used to reduce nausea and vomiting), or placebo prior to surgery. Acupuncture was applied to a point just below the palm of the hand (a point previously shown to relieve nausea and vomiting). Two hours following surgery, women in both the acupuncture and drug groups reported significantly less nausea and vomiting than did those in the placebo group. Interestingly, however, people in the acupuncture group reported significantly less pain compared to the other two groups: 31% of the acupuncture patients reported having moderate to severe pain 2 hours after surgery compared to 64% in the drug group and 77% in the placebo group. "Acupuncture turns out to be just as effective as the drug or better, and our patients also reported much less pain after surgery, a finding that surprised us," the researchers conclude.

References

Gan TJ, Parrillo S, Fortney J, Georgiade G. Comparison of electroacupuncture and ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Presented at: Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Anesthesiologists; October 15, 2001; New Orleans, La.