Acupressure in Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in High-Risk Ambulatory Surgical Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this randomized blinded placebo-controlled research study was to investigate the effect of acupressure over 24 hours postoperatively for ambulatory surgical patients who are identified as high risk for PONV.

Design: A randomized blinded placebo-controlled study design was implemented.

Methods: Study enrollment criteria included four of five risk factors as defined in 2006 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses PONV/postdischarge nausea and vomiting guidelines: female, PONV history or motion sickness, nonsmoker, and volatile gas general anesthetic.