Ear Plaster Therapy as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Gestational Vomiting

Summary

The presented protocol describes a traditional Chinese medicine treatment procedure known for its safety and effectiveness in managing gestational vomiting.

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) are common symptoms that often complicate early pregnancy for many women. While clinical treatments such as fasting, fluid infusion, and nutritional support are conventionally applied to manage NVP, their effectiveness varies. However, traditional ear plaster therapy offers a promising alternative that effectively relieves symptoms and poses no known risk to the development of embryos or fetuses. This therapy is known for its ease of application, cost-effectiveness, and favorable outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of combining ear plaster therapy with conventional treatments in alleviating symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, surpassing the results achieved with conventional treatment alone. The protocol presented herein describes a method to relieve NVP using round, smooth, and hard cowherb seeds applied to specific ear points. These seeds are gently rubbed onto the surface of the ear, utilizing the principles of acupressure. By stimulating the designated ear points, this procedure aims to regulate the body's energy flow and restore balance, thereby reducing the severity and frequency of NVP. The application of cowherb seeds on specific ear points is a straightforward technique that healthcare professionals can easily implement or self-administered by pregnant women under appropriate guidance. Overall, ear plaster therapy presents a safe, effective, and economical approach for managing gestational vomiting, offering women a potential solution to alleviate their discomfort during pregnancy.

Introduction

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) are common, affecting approximately 50%-80% of pregnant women to varying degrees¹. When NVP progresses to moderate or severe levels, it increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, early intervention for NVP may be beneficial in preventing the development of hyperemesis gravidarum². The exact cause of NVP is not well understood in modern biomedicine, but it is believed to be associated with factors such as changes in the serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy and deficiencies of certain vitamins

Protocol

All procedures of this study were conducted by clinical trial registration and were approved by the ethical institution of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Filing No. 2022SL-015). All patients in this study were fully provided with informed consent and consented to the investigators' use of data, images, and related video filming during the trial. Eligible patients were recruited (from January 2023 to April 2023) through leaflets, word communication, and doctors' reco.......

Discussion

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is a common condition that can pose risks to the health of pregnant women, even leading to complications despite terminating pregnancies. Clinical drugs often used for antiemetic/antinauseant effects, such as ondansetron and promethazine, carry potential risks for pregnant women, including dystonia, sedation, and lowered seizure thresholds²². Consequently, pharmacological treatments come with their own set of dangers. On the other hand, the symptom-centered t.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Alcohol cotton ball	Yangzhou Longhu Medical Instrument Co., Ltd	20172142183
Cowherb seeds	Anhui Kangyunnuo Biotechnology Co., Ltd	SC10334161107893
Disposable tweezers	Yangzhou Guilong Medical Instrument Co., Ltd	20182010440
Glucose Injection	Jichuan Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd	H32024826
Omnifilm	Paul Hartmann AG	20210605
Potassium Aspartate and Magnesium Aspartate Injection	Hangzhou Minsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H33020038
Potassium Chloride Injection	Shandong Qidu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H20153283
Scissor	BERNAL DENTAS	20190961
Sodium Chloride Injection	Chenxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H20056758
Swab	Bicon,LLC	20151479
Vitamin B1 Injection	Chengdu Beite Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H32021525
Vitamin B6 Tablets	Gansu Chengji Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H62020314
Vitamin C Tablets	Xinxiang Changle Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd	H41021516