Complementary traditional Chinese medicine use in Children with cerebral palsy: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

Abstract

BackgroundComplementary traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat patients with cerebral palsy (CP). However, large-scale surveys examining its use in the treatment of CP and associated disorders are lacking.MethodsWe enrolled 11,218 patients ≤ 18 years of age with CP in the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database from 1995 to 2011. Patients were categorized as TCM users (n = 6,997; 62.37%) and non-TCM users (n = 4,221; 37.63%) based on the inclusion of TCM in their treatment plan.ResultsChildren with higher proportions of complementary TCM use were male, younger, and lived in urbanized areas. Most TCM users (n = 5332, 76.2%) visited TCM outpatient departments more than 20 times per year. In both groups, the three most common reasons for clinical visits were problems of the nervous system, respiratory system, and digestive system. Acupuncture was commonly used in problems of injury, musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, and nervous system. Chinese herbal medicine was used to improve the primary symptoms of CP in patients, as well as its associated disorders. The incidence rate ratios in allergic rhinitis, dyspepsia, menstrual disorders, and musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases among TCM users were significantly higher than non-TCM users. Although patients receiving complementary TCM therapies had higher medical expenditure for utilizing outpatient clinical consultations, their medical costs for visiting ER and hospitalization were significantly lower than that of non-TCM user within one year of the diagnosis of CP.ConclusionThis study was a large-scale survey to characterize patterns of complementary TCM use among children with CP. The complementary use of TCM in children with CP was considerably high. Future clinical trials and basic researches can be developed based on the findings of this study.

The Examination of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Applications in Terms of Ethical Side

“…Bu kriterler göz önüne alındığında, GETAT kapsamında sınıflandırılan herhangi bir tedavinin sınırlarını belirlemek oldukça güçtür. 32,33 Etik açıdan bakıldığında modern tıbbın kesin çözüm bulamadığı hastalık durumlarında aileler veya hastaların tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamalarından yararlanmaları ya da onları tercih etmeleri makuldür. 33,34 Bu hak biyoetiğin dört temel ilkesinden biri olan "kişi otonomisine saygı" ilkesinin bir gereği olarak hem hastalara hem de ailelerine aittir.…”

Acupuncture treatment on the motor area of the scalp for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

“…This method is complex, and the multi-disciplinary approach is designed to minimize complications and improve the child’s function [10]. In China, acupuncture has been widely used as a treatment for children with CP in combination with the standard conventional treatment, showing promising effectiveness in improving clinical symptoms [12–16], such as drooling, sleep, bowel function, spasm, motor function and daily life activities. However, high-quality evidence to support this method as an effective treatment for children with CP is lacking [17, 18].…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cerebral Palsy

“…The majority of spending on CAM is out-of-pocket, and many patients and their families are willing to pay regardless of a stated lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy (Novak et al 2013). Interestingly, a Taiwanese study did show a reduction in dollars spent in emergency department visits, outpatient consultations, and hospitalizations in patients with CP who regularly utilized complementary medicine as compared to those who did not (Liao et al 2017).…”