An electronic antinausea instrument is an apparatus that provides low-frequency electric stimulation percutaneously through a pulse generator that looks similar to a wristwatch. The pulse generated is transferred to the brain cortex via the median nerve in the wrist. The electric pulse is supposed to adjust a number of activities, including the central stimulation of nausea and vomiting in the brain. This type of device was studied in patients with cancer for its effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Xiao, Y., Liu, J., Liu, Y.C., Huang, X.E., Guo, J.X., & Wei, W. (2014). Phase II study on EANI combined with hydrochloride palonosetron for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting following highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15, 3951–3954.
To evaluate the effects of an electronic antinausea instrument (EANI) combined with hydrochloride palonosetron versus hydrochloride palonosetron alone on nausea and vomiting during the administration of highly emetogenic chemotherapy
The treatment group received 0.25 mg of hydrochloride palonosetron injected five minutes before chemotherapy while wearing an EANI (no report of how long the patients wore the instrument). The control group received 0.25 mg of hydrochloride palonosetron injected five minutes before chemotherapy alone.
Randomized, controlled trial
There was a significant difference in the response rate for nausea (90% response in treatment group and 76.7% response in control group, p < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the response rate for vomiting (95% response in treatment group and 78.3% response in control group, p < 0.05). No significant differences in adverse reactions between the groups and no severe adverse reactions were reported.
The use of an electronic antinausea instrument along with hydrochloride palonosetron appeared to be more effective than hydrochloride palonosetron alone for the treatment of acute nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
Electronic antinausea instruments may be effective for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, but additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.