A total of 16 studies were located including 9 papers on NVS, 1 on gag reflex, 1 on laryngo-spasm, 1 on sickle cell pain, 2 on chronic headaches and pain, 1 on enuresis, and 1 on spastic cerebral birth injuries. Acupressure was applied using various methods including manual, plaster, magnet patches and wrist acubands. The quality and the results of studies were coded and evaluated by two raters, for the robustness of the results.
The studies on symptoms of chronic pain, enuresis, and cerebral birth injury reported a consistent positive response to acupressure. The postoperative NVS rate was as high as 82% in children. The pooled relative risk rate for the reduction of NVS was 0.73 (total n = 436 for all studies, P < 0.0001) comparing acupressure to placebo conditions. P-6 acupoint was not effective in children, particularly children younger than 4 years of age. Acupoints including K K-9; BL10, BL11, and GB34, significantly reduced NVS in children. These acupoints and the studies will be discussed during the presentation. Chinese massage theory identifies that the acupoints in children are different than adults. With a richer knowledge for valuable insight of pediatric acupoints, more quality research is needed to standardize the dose, frequency, and duration of acupressure effects for NVS management in children.