Apr 18 2009
A Diamond in the Headline but Bologna in the Body
Check out this headline — one that is sure to make the woo-meisters get tingly all-over:
Wrist Acupuncture Or Acupressure Prevents Nausea From Anesthesia, Review Finds
Wow. A meta-analysis from the Chinese University of Hong Kong has concluded that stimulating the P6 meridian point with acupuncture or acupressure “prevents” nausea. Woohoo! Acupuncture works!
Or does it? In the last third of the news release you will find the actual scientific finding. And it ain’t nearly what it’s been trumpeted to be.
The Cochrane reviewers found that compared to sham treatment, stimulation of the P6 acupoint can significantly reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting after surgery, with few side effects. Lee said that “for 100 people, of whom 80 would vomit or feel sick after surgery if given sham treatment, about 25 people would benefit from P6 stimulation and 75 would not.”
Huh? What? Okay, clarifying the numbers leads to this: 20% of subjects did not feel nauseous when given a “sham” treatment. When treated with acupuncture or acupressure, 25% of people did not feel nauseous.
Woohoo! Stimulating the P6 point is 5% more effective than a sham treatment!
Um. Stop the presses. Or, if you do roll them, in the very least, add may or can before the “prevent” in the title.
