Acupressure effectiveness on acute vertiginous patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of P6 acupressure on vertigo and neurovegetative symptoms, its possible interference with vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR), and its clinical usefulness during acute vertigo.
Methods: Two hundred and four patients, either affected by acute vertigo (n=124) or undergoing labyrinth stimulation (n=80), were randomly divided in two homogeneous groups: an experimental group A and a placebo group B. Each patient rated severity of vertigo and neurovegetative symptoms on a visuo-analogue scale ranging from 0 to 10, before and after bilateral placement of a P6 device. The latter was placed on the P6 acupressure point (appropriate placement) in Group A patients or on the dorsal part of the carpus (inappropriate placement) in the Group B patients. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative nystagmus parameters were collected via recorded video-oculoscopy and electronystagmography.
Results: Eighty-five percent of Group A patients reported improvement of symptoms, which was significant for neurovegetative symptoms, but not for vertigo. In contrast, only 11% of the Group B patients reported improvement. VOR analysis did not show any significant variation of qualitative and quantitative nystagmus variables.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the P6 device is effective in improving neurovegetative symptoms in patients affected by spontaneous and provoked vertigo, without any interference with VOR. Given the low cost and lack of side effects of the P6 device, its routine application is suggested for acute vertigo and during labyrinth stimulation.
Reference: Alessandrini M, et al. P6 acupressure effectiveness on acute vertiginous patients: a double blind randomized study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2012;18(12):1121-1126.