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

Our research is focused on developing effective treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. We aim to explore ways to best alleviate the symptom of such patients without affecting the development of the fetus. The most recent advances in treating pregnancy vomiting includes a number of medications, such as vitamin B6, doxylamine, and a certain anticholinergics.

Also, some psychological supports has been shown to be important for recovery. Ear plaster therapy is simple, cost-effective, safe, and highly accepted by patients in clinical practice. This therapy in conjunction with traditional symptomatic treatment is more effective in relieving the symptoms of vomiting and nausea in pregnant women.

Our study demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of auricular acupuncture for the treatment of vomiting in pregnancy. More randomized controlled studies and clinical trials are now necessary to assess its efficacy and the risk of side effects. Begin by preparing the ear plasters for ear plaster therapy.

To do so, cut a medical adhesive tape into squares, each measuring 0.6 by 0.6 square centimeters. Then position one or two smooth cowherb seeds at the center of each tape square. Next, instruct the patient to assume a comfortable seated position.

Examine the skin on the patient's ear to ensure that it is intact and free from any abnormalities before selecting the acupoints. To locate the potential acupoints, stabilize the ear auricle by pinching and lifting the ear helix backward and upward using the thumb and index finger of one hand, making sure the area is fully exposed. Then using the sterile probe in the other hand, gently examine the patient's ear to identify sensitive pressure points near the six auricular points.

The stomach, or CO4, cardia, or CO3, belly, or AH8, Shenmen, or TF4, subcortex, or AT4, and liver, or CO12. To begin, ensure the patient's ear auricle area has dried after disinfecting it with 75%alcohol. Then stabilize the auricle by pinching the ear helix with a thumb and index finger of one hand and lifting it backward and upward.

Next, use the forceps to pick up the prepared ear plaster, and place it onto the selected acupoint in the patient's ear, such that the cowherb seeds in the center of the plaster touches the selected point. Ask for the patient's assurance that the seed placement aligns with a sensitive or sore spot. Positioning the thumb and index finger in front of and behind the auricle, apply moderate and tolerable pressure with rhythmic pressing and relaxing motion to stimulate the cowherb seeds at the auricular site.

Continue the rhythmic press and release at each site for three to five minutes, maintaining an even pace. Monitor the patient's overall condition for 15 minutes post-treatment. Instruct the patient or their family to stimulate the seeds by rubbing the concerned area three times a day, in the morning, at midday, and in the evening.

After three days, remove the ear plaster, and repeat the procedure on the opposite ear, alternating treatment between both ears. Compared to the control group, the experimental group, which received ear plaster therapy, had a significantly shorter average hospital stay, and also required a significantly lower time for ketone bodies to turn negative. These suggested that ear plaster therapy can effectively reduce the treatment time for gestational vomiting.

Prior to treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in PUQE scores between the experimental and control groups. However, after five days of treatment, both showed a significant reduction in the scores, but the score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group.