Biobands Clinical Evidence

The following are clinical studies which illustrate the efficacy of our popular biobands nausea bracelets.

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Dibble SL, Chapman J, Mack KA, Shih AS. Acupressure for nausea: results of a pilot study.Oncol Nurs Forum 2000;Jan-Feb, 27(1):41-47. N=17; P<0.01

Purpose/Objectives: To compare differences in nausea experience and intensity in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer between those receiving usual care plus acupressure training and treatment and those receiving only usual care.

Design: Single-cycle, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Outpatient oncology clinic in a major teaching medical center and a private outpatient oncology practice.

Sample: Seventeen women participated in the study. The typical participant was 49.5 years old (SD = 6.0), Caucasian (59%), not married/partnered (76%), on disability (53%), born a U.S. citizen (76%), and heterosexual (88%); lived alone (59%); had at least graduated from high school (100%); and had an annual personal income of $50,000 or greater (65%).

Methods: The intervention included finger acupressure bilaterally at P6 and ST36, acupressure points located on the forearm and by the knee. Baseline and poststudy questionnaires plus a daily log were used to collect data.

Main Research Variables: Nausea experience measured by the Rhodes Inventory of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching and nausea intensity.

Findings: Significant differences existed between the two groups in regard to nausea experience (p < 0.01) and nausea intensity (p < 0.04) during the first 10 days of the chemotherapy cycle, with the acupressure group reporting less intensity and experience of nausea.

Conclusions: Finger acupressure may decrease nausea among women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

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Roscoe JA, Morrow GR, Hickok JT, et al. The efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation wrist bands for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a University of Rochester Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program multicenter study.J Pain Symptom Manage 2003;Aug, 26(2):731-742. N=739; P<0.05

University of Rochester Cancer Center , Rochester , New York 14642 , USA .

As an adjunct to standard antiemetics for the relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (NV), 739 patients were randomly assigned to either: 1) acupressure bands, 2) an acustimulation band, or 3) a no band control condition. Patients in the acupressure condition experienced less nausea on the day of treatment compared to controls (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in delayed nausea or vomiting among the three treatment conditions. Additional analyses revealed pronounced gender differences. Men in the acustimulation condition, but not the acupressure condition, had less NV compared to controls (P<0.05). No significant differences among the three treatment conditions were observed in women, although the reduction in nausea on the day of treatment in the acupressure, compared to the no band condition, closely approached statistical significance (P=0.052). Expected efficacy of the bands was related to outcomes for the acupressure but not the acustimulation conditions.

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Shin, Yeong Hee PhD, RN; Kim, Tae Im PhD, RN, et al. Effect of Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting During Chemotherapy Cycle for Korean Postoperative Stomach Cancer Patients. Cancer Nursing July/August 2004; 27(4):267-274. N=40

Abstract:
Despite the development of effective antiemetic drugs, nausea and vomiting remain the main side effects associated with cancer chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acupressure on emesis control in postoperative gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Forty postoperative gastric cancer patients receiving the first cycle of chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil were divided into control and intervention groups (n = 20 each). Both groups received regular antiemesis medication; however, the intervention group received acupressure training and was instructed to perform the finger acupressure maneuver for 5 minutes on P6 (Nei-Guan) point located at 3-finger widths up from the first palmar crease, between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons point, at least 3 times a day before chemotherapy and mealtimes or based on their needs. Both groups received equally frequent nursing visits and consultations, and reported nausea and vomiting using Rhode's Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching. We found significant differences between intervention and control groups in the severity of nausea and vomiting, the duration of nausea, and frequency of vomiting. This study suggests that acupressure on P6 point appears to be an effective adjunct maneuver in the course of emesis control.