4 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 7
Can non-pharma-
cological modali-
ties like aro-
matherapy, acu-
pressure and
acupuncture help
stave off post-
operative nausea
and vomiting?
• Aromatherapy. Madigan Healthcare System conducted a
study comparing the effectiveness of an aromatherapy inhaler to
placebo for relief of PONV. Most aromatherapy patients showed a
statistically significant decrease in nausea, as well as a signifi-
cantly higher perception of treatment effectiveness. Another study
found aromatherapy to be an effective self-care strategy at
decreasing post-discharge nausea.
• Acupressure. Brandon (Fla.) Regional Hospital reported prom-
ising results in a clinical trial of an acupressure wristband infused
with peppermint aromatherapy used to moderate PONV in
endoscopy patients (osmag.net/8ZRegA). The trial concluded that
the combination of
aromatherapy and acupressure could be a "safe, cost-effective
and efficacious" approach to decreasing instances of PONV —
pre-op, post-op and 24 hours after discharge. Of the 200
patients studied, those who were given a properly placed aro-
matherapy-infused acupressure wristband — on the P6 acu-
NATURE CALLS
All-Natural
Nausea Relief
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
• COMPLEMENTARY Aromatherapy represents an alternative and complementary
therapy for management of PONV.
