Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture and Related Techniques in the Management of Oncological Children and Adolescent Patients: A Systematic Review.

Researchers conducted a systematic review to determine whether acupuncture and related techniques can safely help children and teenagers with cancer manage symptoms caused by their disease and treatments. They searched through nine major medical databases up to June 2023, looking for high-quality studies that tested acupuncture in young cancer patients. The review found that acupuncture may be helpful for reducing nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment. This is particularly important because these are common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy that can significantly impact a young patient's quality of life. The treatment appeared to be safe, with no major adverse effects reported. However, the researchers noted that the overall quality of the evidence was generally low, meaning the studies had various limitations that make it difficult to draw strong conclusions. The review did not find enough evidence to determine whether acupuncture helps with other symptoms like fatigue or whether it reduces the need for anti-nausea medications. The authors emphasized that while these preliminary results are promising, more rigorous, high-quality research is needed before acupuncture can be confidently recommended as a standard complementary treatment for pediatric cancer patients. Parents and caregivers considering acupuncture for their child should discuss the option with their oncology team and seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with pediatric experience.

This systematic review evaluated acupuncture and related techniques for symptom management in pediatric oncology patients. Nine databases were searched through June 2023 for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials involving needle acupuncture interventions in children and adolescents with cancer. Study selection and data extraction followed standard systematic review methodology with independent dual review. Results indicate acupuncture may reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in this population, though overall evidence quality was low. Specific sample sizes and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract. Meta-analysis was performed when data permitted, though results were analyzed primarily through narrative synthesis. Evidence was insufficient to support acupuncture's efficacy for other outcomes including vomiting frequency, antiemetic medication reduction, or fatigue management. Clinical takeaway: While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefit for CINV management, practitioners should recognize current evidence limitations and advocate for participation in rigorous clinical trials to establish definitive efficacy and safety profiles in pediatric oncology populations.