Acupuncture for Chemo-Related Nausea and Vomiting

(1) Background: In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques have become very widespread; among these, acupuncture can play an important role in the treatment of adverse effects related to chemotherapy. This role has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health after many clinical studies, thus allowing the official introduction of acupuncture in supportive therapy for oncological diseases, particularly to prevent nausea and vomiting. (2) Aim. The aim of this paper is to describe the activity of the Unit of Integrative Medicine (UIM) of our tertiary hospital in relation to the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. (3) Methods: All patients cared by the UIM are oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy, either alone or associated to radiotherapy or surgery. Each patient was examined before starting chemotherapy, according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly with a wrist and tongue test. The therapeutic protocol provided a weekly treatment with both somatopuncture and auriculopuncture for the whole duration of the treatment. The protocol included an assessment of nausea and vomiting using a numerical visual analogical scale (VAS) and a general assessment of quality of life (QOL) through standard questionnaires that were offered to patients before, during and at the end of the oncological treatment. (4) Results: In the years 2017-2018, the UIM took care of 174 patients. The combination of acupuncture and auriculopuncture reduced significantly the duration and severity of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy (CINV). Anyway, some patients were not able to recognize the acupuncture as the cause of reduction of nausea. About QOL, most patients reported an improvement of their general QOL in the course of treatment, not only related to CINV, but also to a better control of other common problems such as pain/anxiety, dysgeusia or intestinal disorders. (5) Conclusions: In patients undergoing chemotherapy, acupuncture and auriculotherapy contributed to reduce nausea and vomiting and improve the general QOL.