Efficacy of acupuncture for health conditions in children: a review.
Acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of childhood problems; however, the efficacy and safety of pediatric acupuncture remains unclear. This article reviews the existing empirical literature relating to the use of acupuncture for medical conditions in children. A systematic search of the literature revealed that acupuncture has been used to treat five main conditions in children, including pain, nocturnal enuresis, postoperative nausea/vomiting, laryngospasm/stridor, and neurological disorders. Despite a number of methodological issues, including limited sample sizes, lack of randomization, and inappropriate control groups, it is concluded that acupuncture represents a promising intervention for a variety of pediatric health conditions. To further address the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of acupuncture in children, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed.
Libonate
Jean
J
Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, Santa Monica, CA, USA. beyond.acupuncture@verizon.net
Evans
Subhadra
S
Tsao
Jennie C I
JC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D053206:Nocturnal Enuresis / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic