The effect of ondansetron and K-K9 Acupressure with ondansetron in treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is one of the most common problems during pregnancy. Given that there is no research on the use of a combination method of acupressure and antiemetic drugs in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, therefor, this study was performed with aim to compare the effect of ondansetron and K-K9 Acupressure with ondansetron in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2018-2019 on 84 pregnant women referred to Ahvaz teaching hospitals. The subjects were randomly divided in two groups of ondansetron with K-K9 acupressure and ondansetron alone. The severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting were recorded by Rhodes questionnaire for 8 days. At days of 1-5 days, both groups received ondansetron tablets 4 mg and in the ondansetron with K-K9 acupressure group in addition to ondansetron tablets, K-K9 acupressure was performed by the research unit. There was no intervention in the two groups on days 6-8. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22) and independent t-test, Chi-square, paired t-test, and repeated measures. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

During the intervention, there was significant difference between the two groups in the mean severity of vomiting (P˂0.001) and the mean severity of nausea (P = 0.01), but no significant difference was found between the two groups in the mean number of nausea (P = 0.08) and the mean number of vomiting (P = 0.05). Need to hospitalization and additional drug was less in ondansetron with K-K9 acupressure group, and also satisfaction of treatment was higher.

Ondansetron and K-K9 acupressure is more effective in reducing the severity of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it is recommended to use ondansetron and K-K9 acupressure to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.