OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy between moxa salt packets at acupoints combined with tropisetron hydrochloride and single use of tropisetron hydrochloride for cisplatin chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal reaction.

METHODSSixty patients with malignant tumor who met inclusive criteria and received chemotherapy for the first time were recruited and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Between the first days and fifth day into the chemotherapy, the patients in the control group were treated with daily intravenous injection of tropisetron hydrochloride (5 mg), while patients in the observation group, based on the treatment of control group, were treated with moxa salt packets at Zhongwan (CV 12). The nausea and vomiting between the first days and fifth day into the chemotherapy were compared in the two groups, and the occurrence rates of adverse reactions within the first week into chemotherapy were recorded.

RESULTSBetween the second day and fifth day into the chemotherapy, the effective rate for nausea in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.05); between the third day and fifth day into the chemotherapy, the effective rate for vomiting in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.05); one week into the chemotherapy, the occurrence rate of constipation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxa salt packets combined with tropisetron hydrochloride can effectively reduce the cisplatin chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as the occurrence rate of delayed-type vomiting, and improve the constipation, which is superior to single use of tropisetron hydrochloride.