Agarwal 2002.
Methods | Parallel‐group randomized trial, conducted in India. Study dates not reported. | |
Participants | 150 adults undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Exclusion: patient refusal to participate in study, previous history of PONV and motion sickness, impaired renal function with increased urea and creatinine concentrations, diabetes mellitus, obesity, patients receiving antiemetic medication, histamine H₂ receptor antagonist within 72 hours of surgery. | |
Interventions | Acupressure wristband placed at P6 points on both forearms, applied 30 min before induction of anaesthesia and removed after 6 hours following surgery (plus normal saline 1 mL IV just before induction of anaesthesia) (n = 50). Sham group was the spherical bead of acupressure wristbands placed on posterior surface, applied 30 min before induction of anaesthesia and removed 6 hours after surgery (plus normal saline 1 mL IV just before induction of anaesthesia) (n = 50). Antiemetic group was ondansetron 4 mg IV just before induction of anaesthesia (plus sham treatment outlined above) (n = 50). |
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Outcomes | Nausea (0 ‐ 24 h), vomiting (0 ‐ 24 h), risk of rescue antiemetic drug. | |
Notes | Rescue antiemetic was ondansetron 4 mg IV if participant vomited more than once. No side effects or complications noted in any of the groups. Data for outcome (0 ‐ 24 h) obtained by correspondence with author. No details about funding source or any declarations of interest among authors. | |
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | "Patients were randomised into three groups of 50 each using a table of random numbers..". |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Insufficient information. |
Blinding of patients (performance bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Authors took adequate steps to make interventions appear similar. |
Blinding of healthcare providers (performance bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Insufficient information. |
Blinding of outcome assessor (detection bias) All outcomes | Low risk | "The incidence of PONV was evaluated by a blinded observer". |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | No missing data reported for 150 patients randomized. |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | All expected outcomes reported. |
Other bias | Low risk | Baseline characteristics were comparable: "Patients were comparable in both the groups as regards to age, sex, height, weight and duration of surgery". |