The use of motion sickness bands to control nausea and vomiting in a group of hospice patients.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential benefits of using motion sickness bands (MSBs) to control nausea and vomiting in a hospice-based patient population.

METHODS

A nonblinded, yearlong observational study.

RESULTS

From February 2003 to February 2004, 33 patients entered into the study. The mean age of the study cohort was 67 years, with a predominance of females to males and cancer as the most common admitting diagnosis. Twenty-nine of the 33 patients studied showed a positive response to the intervention for a response rate of 88 percent.

CONCLUSIONS

MSBs demonstrated efficacy in controlling nausea and vomiting in a group of hospice patients. Added benefits of patient empowerment and financial savings also were noted. Further study is warranted.