A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Efficacy of KID21 Point (Youmen) Acupressure on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is a common complaint of nearly 50-80% of pregnant women. The problem begins around the 4th weeks of pregnancy and often stays up to the 12th weeks and may continue to the 16th week in a few patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine the effect of acupressure (on KID21 point) on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single blind clinical trial study was performed on 80 women with nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy. Women were randomly divided to two groups; study group with the acupressure on KID21 point and the placebo group with pressure on sham acupressure for 20 minutes per day in four consecutive days. The intensity of nausea was assessed by visual Analogue scale (VAS) and vomiting frequency was evaluated by counting during these four days. Then the results compared with each other. RESULTS: The intensity of nausea and vomiting between two groups on the fourth day was shown differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure on KID21 point is more effective than sham acupressure in reduction of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.