A Comparison of Acupuncture Versus Placebo for Postdischarge Nausea and Vomiting Prophylaxis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Patient- and Observer-Blinded Trial
In brief
Acupuncture reduced postdischarge nausea and vomiting from 50% to 24% in women
In a randomized trial of 129 patients after knee arthroscopy, acupuncture did not significantly reduce postdischarge nausea and vomiting overall: rates were 6% with acupuncture and 13% with sham. In a preplanned subgroup of 64 women, rates were 24% versus 50%. This subgroup signal needs confirmation; acupuncture did not improve nausea or vomiting before discharge or pain.
- Journal
- Journal of integrative and complementary medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 1 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Jacob Oxlund, Gerda Dejgaard Møller Kristensen, Andra Pachai, Sine Skou Krogstrup, Carina Nørskov Sørensen, Mette Vinther Riber, et al.
- PMID
- 42820758
- DOI
- 10.1177/27683605261492563
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (paper of the day, 3 October 2026): Randomized placebo-controlled acupuncture trial for postoperative nausea
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) occur in up to 37% of surgical patients and increase readmissions. While acupuncture reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), its effect on PDNV with standard prophylaxis is unclear. This study investigates whether acupuncture lowers PDNV incidence compared with sham treatment. Pain and POVN were secondary outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, placebo-controlled, patient- and observer-blinded trial was conducted to determine whether acupuncture using three acupuncture points performed after surgery was an effective treatment in preventing PDNV compared with placebo. Patients (n = 129) scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either acupuncture (n = 69) or placebo (n = 60). A prespecified subgroup analysis was conducted in 64 women, of whom 35 were allocated to the sham group and 31 to the acupuncture group. All adverse events (AEs), regardless of causality, were recorded and analyzed. RESULT: The overall incidence of PDNV did not differ significantly between groups (6.17% acupuncture vs. 13.33% placebo, p = 0.09). However, in the preplanned female subgroup, acupuncture significantly reduced PDNV compared with placebo (24% vs. 50%, p = 0.03). No significant difference between the groups regarding PONV or pain was detected. Only a few cases of AE were reported, and these were mild and self-limiting. No serious AEs were reported. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between acupuncture and placebo regarding PDNV. However, a significant reduction in PDNV was shown in the acupuncture group among females compared with placebo.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.