FAQs
WHAT ARE SEA-BANDS?
Sea-Bands are a low-cost, clinically proven, drug free alternative treatment for the control of nausea and vomiting.
Sea-Bands are acupressure bands that fit around the patient’s wrist just like a sweat band-with a pressure stud sewn inside.
A University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study using Sea-Bands acupressure on post-op patients reduced the incidence of nausea to 10% – a two-thirds reduction.
WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR?
Sea-Bands will benefit persons suffering with nausea and vomiting associated with:
Motion
Pregnancy
Chemotherapy
Post Operative
ARE SEA-BANDS COST EFFECTIVE?
Yes, tests conducted on post-operative patients in hospitals have shown that Sea-Bands have a direct effect on the cost of care by reducing:
The length of recovery – patients are more likely to recover quickly if they are not experiencing nausea.
Amount of anti-emetic drugs administered.
PACU nursing care.
Unplanned admissions related to nausea and vomiting following out-patient procedures.
When Sea-Bands are placed on a patient prior to surgery, many do not suffer with nausea or vomiting. those patients who still need anti-emetic drugs may be subjected to fewer drugs and lower doses.
It has been cited that Sea-Bands are “As effective as ordinary anti-emetics; completely devoid of side effects”.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
A plastic stud is attached to the inside of the wrist band which exerts pressure and stimulates the P6 (or Nei-Kuan) acupressure point. It has been proven that pressure on this point relieves nausea and vomiting.
WHEN SHOULD THEY BE ADMINISTERED?
Sea-Bands may be applied as a preventative measure before the onset of nausea (such as before surgery to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting associated with anaesthesia).
Sea-Bands may also be applied after the onset of nausea.
DO THEY HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Sea-Bands are drug free, and have no side effects.
HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO WORK?
Nausea is typically reduced within 5 minutes after Sea-Bands are applied.
CAN THEY BE USED ON CHILDREN?
Yes, Sea-Bands have been used successfully on children as young as three years of age. However, they must fit snugly around the wrist to work.
ARE THERE ANY CONTRA-INDICATIONS FOR SEA-BAND USE?
There are no contra-indications.
CAN THEY BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH ANTI-EMETIC DRUGS?
Yes, Sea-Bands can be used with any other drugs.
DO THEY INTERFERE WITH IVS?
Roseann Ferrara-Love, MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, pointed out in her lecture at the ASPN conference (1999) that the pressure is not great enough from the wrist bands to effect the flow of an IV.
She did suggest, however, that the band be placed on a patients wrist – prior to an IV – only to ensure that the IV was not placed too close to the P6 point where the band must be positioned to work effectively.
DO SEA-BANDS CONTAIN LATEX?
No, Sea-Bands are Latex-free.
WHAT CLINICAL DATA/RESEARCH IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR USE?
Selected studies mentioned in this literature include:
Rose Ferrara-Love, MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Postoperative Nausea, 1996 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
Stannard, DM (1989) Pressure Prevents Nausea, Nursing Times p33-34.
Effect of Stimulation of the P6 Anti-emetic Point on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting. British Journal of Anesthesia, 1980.
IS THERE AN INFORMATION BROCHURE AVAILABLE FOR MY PATIENTS WITH QUESTIONS?
Yes. You can download it here