THE EFFECT OF SUPPORTIVE COUNSELING WITH ACUPRESSURE ON NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN PREGNANT WOMEN REFERRING TO HEALTH CENTERS IN HAMADAN, IRAN: A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLIND CONTROLLED TRIAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To measure the effect of supportive counseling and acupressure on P6 point on nausea and vomiting. Methodology: This study is a randomized clinical trial with two groups. And has been done in the health clinic centers of Hamadan, Iran, in 2020. A total of 60 pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received three face-to-face support counseling sessions by a midwife, one session every week, and continuous follow-ups by phone or online, using a 24-hour P6 acupressure wristband for fourteen days, and group 2 had the same number of sessions with using a placebo wristband. The severity of nausea and vomiting was assessed based on PUQE-24 questionnaire item for 17 days. Results: The mean age of pregnant women in two groups were 28.10 (5.13) and 27.93 (14.71) respectively. Nausea exacerbating variables and level of spouse information about pregnancy, appropriate verbal, sexual and emotional communication with spouse, level of domestic violence, level of information about nausea reduction methods in both groups were homogeneous (p>0.05). There was a decreasing trend in the mean scores of ques­tions 1(duration of nausea or stomach problems), 2 (number of vomiting times during the day) and 3 (number of retching per day) after the intervention (p<0.001). But the trend of decreasing scores in the first group was more than the second group. Although there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, acupressure on P6 combined with supportive counseling is indicated to min­imize vomiting and nausea during pregnancy.