A multi-centre crossover study carried out at five hospitals in Germany, has investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing nausea and vomiting in children receiving chemotherapy. In all, 23 children were randomly allocated to receive acupuncture during either their second or their third, course of chemotherapy, in addition to standard anti-sickness medication. This gave 46 treatments with or without acupuncture, to be compared. In the instances where acupuncture had been given, there was a significant reduction in the need for further anti-sickness medication, and in episodes of vomiting. Patients’ acceptance of acupuncture was high.
(Acupuncture to Alleviate Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting in Paediatric Oncology – A Randomised Multicentre Crossover Trial. Klin Padiatr, Nov-Dec 2008.)