Effect of Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting among Children with Leukemia

Abstract

Background: One non-pharmacological technique that has been successful in lowering the frequency of vomiting in children with leukemia is acupressure. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting among children with leukemia. Method: A quasi-experimental (pretest/ posttest) research design was used. Setting: The study will be conducted at Minia Oncology Centre. Sample: (80 children) were randomly assigned to either study or control groups at the Minia Oncology Centre over the period of 6 months period. Tools: One tool was used to collect data including two parts (I) A demographic as well as clinical data interview questionnaire. Part (II) Rhodes scale for Nausea as well as Vomiting. Results: In comparison to the control group, the applying of acupressure in children with acute leukemia undergoing chemotherapy resulted in a highly statistically significant reduction (P.value 0.0001) in the frequency, distress, and severity of nausea as well as in the duration, frequency, as well as severity of vomiting through forty eight hours of the start administration of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Acupressure must be performed as a supportive nursing intervention to minimize Chemotherapy-induced nausea as well as vomiting (CINV) in children with leukemia. Recommendations: Acupressure may be suggested as a useful, nonpharmacologic treatment for nausea and vomiting brought on by leukemia-related chemotherapy.