Evaluation of acupuncture and auriculotherapy in the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a Pilot Study*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and auriculotherapy protocol in relieving chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients compared to the antiemetic protocol. METHOD: Pilot study of a pragmatic two-arm clinical trial: an acupuncture group received systemic acupuncture, auriculotherapy, and antiemetic protocol; a control group used antiemetic protocol. The sample consisted of 42 patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal system or multiple myeloma. The outcome was assessed using the Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Assessment Tool and the patient’s diary. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups according to the assessment of the patient’s diary and the Assessment Tool of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The patients were 60 years old on average and the groups were homogeneous, except for marital status. In the diary, there was no statistical difference between groups and sessions for days of nausea (p = 0.873) and vomiting episodes (p = 0.993). CONCLUSION: The protocol of acupuncture and auriculotherapy as a complementary treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting was ineffective, considering the limitations of the study.