Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

All participants were supine in the hospital bed. A disposable sterile acupuncture needle (ø 0.30 × 40 mm, Hwato) was inserted vertically at approximately 20-30 mm until "De Qi" (sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, etc. around the acupoint) was reported by the participants. Then, the needle handle was clamped via a metal clip to connect to the positive electrode of the electric acupuncture apparatus (Huatuo, SDZ-V model, Suzhou Medical Appliance). Another reference electrode was placed 1 cm above the CV12 acupoints of the stimulation point, where no acupoints or meridians passed through. A dilatational wave at a frequency of 2/10 Hz and a current intensity at the highest level tolerated by the patient, with a maximum intensity no more than 10 mA, were used to deliver the EA stimulation. People in the intervention groups were offered a standardized 30-minute EA session once daily from the 1st day of the four-day chemotherapy cycle.

A disposable sterile acupuncture needle (ø 0.30 × 40 mm, Hwato) was inserted vertically at approximately 20-30 mm until "De Qi" (sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, etc. around the acupoint) was reported by the participants. Then, the needle handle was clamped via a metal clip to connect to the positive electrode of the electric acupuncture apparatus (Huatuo, SDZ-V model, Suzhou Medical Appliance). Another reference electrode was placed 1cm below ST36 acupoints of the stimulation point, respectively, where no acupoints or meridians passed through. A dilatational wave at a frequency of 2/10 Hz and a current intensity at the highest level tolerated by the patient, with a maximum intensity no more than 10 mA, were used to deliver the EA stimulation. People in the intervention groups were offered a standardized 30-minute EA session once daily from the 1st day of the four-day chemotherapy cycle.