Auricular therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: Perspectives from the traditional zang-fu organs and meridians theory

Auricular therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: Perspectives from the traditional zang-fu organs and meridians theory

This paper presents the theoretical background of using auricular therapy (AT) for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) from the perspectives of traditional zang-fu organs and meridian theory. The zang-fu organs of stomach, spleen and liver play a crucial role in regulating the gastrointestinal functions. The chemotherapeutic agents can significantly impede the gastrointestinal functions and subsequently contribute to various gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Dysfunctions of the stomach, spleen and liver can correspond to specific auricular acupoints, while by stimulating those acupoints, the chaotic Qi movement can be reversed to its normal status, and the hyperactivities of the gastrointestinal system can also be alleviated to reduce the CINV symptoms. Clinical studies based on such theory have well supported the effects of AT on CINV. However, relationships between the traditional theory and the modern medicine understanding of the CINV mechanisms remain unknown and should be further explored in future research.