Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Acupuncture | Research article

Trends in the utilization of acupuncture among children in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011: a nationwide population-based study

Authors: Chieh Wang, Yu-Chen Lee, Mei-Yao Wu, Cheng-Li Lin, Mao-Feng Sun, Jaung-Geng Lin, Hung-Rong Yen

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

In recent years, acupuncture has been increasingly integrated into pediatric care worldwide. However, recent epidemiological studies about pediatric users of acupuncture are lacking. The current study aimed to fill the gap and carry out the large-scale investigation on the basis of the pediatric population in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide population-based study to investigate the utilization of acupuncture in Taiwan. We analyzed data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000). The datasets contained all original claims data for 1 million beneficiaries who were randomly sampled from the registry of all beneficiaries enrolled in the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Program from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2011. Children younger than 18 years old were enrolled into our study for analysis. The demographic data, treatment modalities and distributions by disease categories of the pediatric acupuncture users were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the trends in acupuncture use over time.

Results

The one-year prevalence of pediatric acupuncture users increased from 1.78% in 2002 to 5.34% in 2011. Acupuncture use significantly increased each year (p-value< 0.0001). Patients who were male, of greater age, resided in highly urbanized areas and suffered from injury or disorders of the musculoskeletal system were more likely to accept acupuncture treatment. Infantile cerebral palsy and psychoses were the top two health issues among those receiving complex acupuncture treatment. Older (> 9 years old) children tended to receive acupuncture treatment due to injury and musculoskeletal system disorders more than younger (≤9 years old) children.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that the utilization of acupuncture in pediatrics became increasingly popular year by year in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011. The results of this study may provide some valuable information for further clinical practice and acupuncture research, as well as to the government and societies concerning pediatric health care.
Literature
1.
2.
Kessler RC, Davis RB, Foster DF, Van Rompay MI, Walters EE, Wilkey SA, Kaptchuk TJ, Eisenberg DM. Long-term trends in the use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135(4):262–8.CrossRef
3.
Tindle HA, Davis RB, Phillips RS, Eisenberg DM. Trends in use of complementary and alternative medicine by US adults: 1997-2002. Altern Ther Health Med. 2005;11(1):42.PubMed
4.
Liu SH, Chuang Wc Fau, Lam W, Lam W Fau, Jiang Z, Jiang Z Fau, Cheng Y-C, Cheng YC. Safety surveillance of traditional Chinese medicine: current and future. Drug Saf. 2015;38(2):117–28. 
5.
Barnes PM, Bloom B Fau, Nahin RL, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007. Natl Health Stat Report. 2008;(12):1–23.
6.
Posadzki P, Watson L, Alotaibi A, Ernst E. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)-use in UK paediatric patients: a systematic review of surveys. Complement Ther Med. 2013;21(3):224–31.CrossRef
7.
8.
Yang C, Hao Z, Zhang L-L, Guo Q. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in children: an overview of systematic reviews. Pediatr Res. 2015;78(2):112.CrossRef
9.
Cabýoglu MT, Ergene N, Tan U. The mechanism of acupuncture and clinical applications. Int J Neurosci. 2006;116(2):115–25.CrossRef
10.
Chavez LM, Huang SS, MacDonald I, Lin JG, Lee YC, Chen YH. Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Literature Review of Basic Studies. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(11):2270.
11.
12.
Li LX, Deng K, Qu Y. Acupuncture Treatment for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: An Update Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Chin J Integr Med. 2018;24(9):686–95.
13.
Comachio J, Oliveira Magalhaes M, Nogueira Burke T, Vidal Ramos LA, Peixoto Leao Almeida G, Silva AP, Ferreira de Meneses SR, Costa-Frutuoso JR, Santos Miotto Amorim C, Pasqual Marques A. Efficacy of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in patients with nonspecific low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1186/​s13063-015-0850-7.
14.
Fernandes AC, Duarte Moura DM, Da Silva LGD, De Almeida EO, Barbosa GAS. Acupuncture in Temporomandibular Disorder Myofascial Pain Treatment: A Systematic Review. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2017;31(3):225–32.
15.
Chan YY, Lo WY, Yang SN, Chen YH, Lin JG. The benefit of combined acupuncture and antidepressant medication for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2015;176:106–17.
16.
Zeng L, Tao Y, Hou W, Zong L, Yu L. Electro-acupuncture improves psychiatric symptoms, anxiety and depression in methamphetamine addicts during abstinence: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(34):e11905.
17.
Sallach K, Leonhardt M. Acupuncture for treatment of depressive disorders in pain diseases. Nervenarzt. 2018;89(9):986–93.
18.
Li S, Li ZF, Wu Q, Guo XC, Xu ZH, Li XB, Chen R, Zhou DY, Wang C, Duan Q, Sun J, Luo D, Li MY, Wang JL, Xie H, Xuan LH, Su SY, Huang DM, Liu ZS, Fu WB. A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Electroacupuncture for Perimenopause Women with Mild-Moderate Depression. BioMed research international. 2018. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1155/​2018/​5351210.
19.
Ishizaki N, Yano T, Kawakita K. Public status and prevalence of acupuncture in Japan. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2010;7(4):493–500.CrossRef
20.
Chen F-P, Kung Y-Y, Chen T-J, Hwang S-J. Demographics and patterns of acupuncture use in the Chinese population: the Taiwan experience. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(4):379–87.CrossRef
21.
Hwang JH, Han DW, Yoo EK, Kim W-Y. The utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among ethnic minorities in South Korea. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14(1):103.CrossRef
22.
Xue CC, Zhang AL, Lin V, Myers R, Polus B, Story DF. Acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy use in Australia: a national population survey. BMC Public Health. 2008;8(1):105.CrossRef
23.
Upchurch DM, Rainisch BW. A sociobehavioral wellness model of acupuncture use in the United States, 2007. J Altern Complement Med. 2014;20(1):32–9.CrossRef
24.
Cramer H, Chung VC, Lauche R, Zhang Y, Zhang A, Langhorst J, Dobos G. Characteristics of acupuncture users among internal medicine patients in Germany. Complement Ther Med. 2015;23(3):423–9.CrossRef
25.
Wu M-Y, Lee Y-C, Lin C-L, Huang M-C, Sun M-F, Yen H-R. Trends in use of acupuncture among adults in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011: a nationwide population-based study. PLoS One. 2018;13(4):e0195490.CrossRef
26.
Martin J, Donaldson A, Villarroel R, Parmar M, Ernst E, Higginson I. Efficacy of acupuncture in asthma: systematic review and meta-analysis of published data from 11 randomised controlled trials. Eur Respir J. 2002;20(4):846–52.CrossRef
27.
Liao HH, Yen HR, Muo CH, Lee YC, Wu MY, Chou LW, Sun MF, Chang TT. Complementary traditional Chinese medicine use in Children with cerebral palsy: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Taiwan. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):155.
28.
Zhang Y, Liu J, Wang J, He Q. Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cerebral palsy in children: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(4):375–95.CrossRef
29.
Friedman T, Slayton WB, Allen LS, Pollock BH, Dumont-Driscoll M, Mehta P, Graham-Pole J. Use of alternative therapies for children with cancer. Pediatrics. 1997;100(6):e1.CrossRef
30.
Yeh CH, Chien L-C, Chiang YC, Lin SW, Huang CK, Ren D. Reduction in nausea and vomiting in children undergoing cancer chemotherapy by either appropriate or sham auricular acupuncture points with standard care. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(4):334–40.CrossRef
31.
Lin YC, Lee AC, Kemper KJ, Berde CB. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric pain management service: a survey. Pain Med. 2005;6(6):452–8.
32.
Jindal V, Ge A, Mansky PJ. Safety and efficacy of acupuncture in children a review of the evidence. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2008;30(6):431.CrossRef
33.
Adams D, Cheng F, Jou H, Aung S, Yasui Y, Vohra S. The safety of pediatric acupuncture: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2011;128(6):e1575–87.CrossRef
34.
Administration NHI. National Health Insurance Annual Report 2014–2015. In: National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare Taipei, Taiwan ROC; 2015.
35.
Hsing AW, Ioannidis JP. Nationwide Population Science: Lessons From the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;75(9):1527–9.
36.
Chang L-C, Huang N, Chou Y-J, Lee C-H, Kao F-Y, Huang Y-T. Utilization patterns of Chinese medicine and Western medicine under the National Health Insurance Program in Taiwan, a population-based study from 1997 to 2003. BMC Health Serv Res. 2008;8(1):170.CrossRef
37.
Liu C-Y, Hung Y, Chuang Y, Chen Y, Weng W, Liu J, Liang K. Incorporating development stratification of Taiwan townships into sampling design of large scale health interview survey. J Health Manag. 2006;4(1):1–22.
38.
Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children; United States, 2007. Natl Health Stat Report. 2008(12):1–23.
39.
Litscher G. High-tech laser acupuncture is Chinese medicine. Med Acupunct. 2008;20(4):245–54.CrossRef
40.
Li J, Dong J-C. Study of therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture in treating bronchial asthma. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med. 2001;7(1):69–74.
41.
Rosen BN, Peterson L. Gender differences in children's outdoor play injuries: a review and an integration. Clin Psychol Rev. 1990;10(2):187–205.CrossRef
42.
Matheny AP Jr. Children's unintentional injuries and gender: differentiation by environmental and psychosocial aspects. Child Environ Q. 1991;8(3/4):51–61.
43.
Tong Y, Guo H, Han B. Fifteen-day acupuncture treatment relieves diabetic peripheral neuropathy. J Acupunct Mer Stud. 2010;3(2):95–103.CrossRef
44.
Huang P-H. The development and current situation of the early intervention for children with developmental delay in Taiwan. Int J Child Care Educ Policy. 2007;1(1):45–58.CrossRef
45.
Li L-X, Zhang M-M, Zhang Y, He J. Acupuncture for cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neural Regen Res. 2018;13(6):1107.CrossRef
46.
Yau CH, Ip CL, Chau YY. The therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture on natal autism and regressive autism. Chin Med. 2018;13(1):30.CrossRef
47.
Lee B, Lee J, Cheon J-H, Sung H-K, Cho S-H, Chang GT. The efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of children with autism Spectrum disorder: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1155/​2018/​1057539.
48.
Leung B, Takeda W, Holec V. Pilot study of acupuncture to treat anxiety in children and adolescents. J Paediatr Child Health. 2018;54(8):881–8.
49.
Alsharnoubi J, Sabbour AA, Shoukry AI, Abdelazeem AM. Nocturnal enuresis in children between laser acupuncture and medical treatment: a comparative study. Lasers Med Sci. 2017;32(1):95–9.CrossRef
50.
51.
Hu Y, Li T, Han D, Wang X, Wang F, Wang Z. Meta analysis on acupuncture-moxibustion for amblyopia [correction of agrypnia]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2014;34(2):205–8. 
52.
Shih C-C, Liao C-C, Su Y-C, Tsai C-C, Lin J-G. Gender differences in traditional Chinese medicine use among adults in Taiwan. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e32540.CrossRef
53.
Lin Y-J, Tian W-H, Chen C-C. Urbanization and the utilization of outpatient services under National Health Insurance in Taiwan. Health Policy. 2011;103(2–3):236–43.CrossRef
54.
Cheng KJ. Neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture for some common illnesses: a clinician's perspective. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2014;7(3):105–14.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Trends in the utilization of acupuncture among children in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011: a nationwide population-based study
Authors
Chieh Wang
Yu-Chen Lee
Mei-Yao Wu
Cheng-Li Lin
Mao-Feng Sun
Jaung-Geng Lin
Hung-Rong Yen
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2753-8

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2019 Go to the issue

Research article

Efficacy evaluation of ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica L. leaves as possible alternate therapy in septic arthritis model of rabbit

Research article

Astragaloside IV protects against diabetic nephropathy via activating eNOS in streptozotocin diabetes-induced rats

Research article

Distal acupoint stimulation versus peri-incisional stimulation for postoperative pain in open abdominal surgery: a systematic review and implications for clinical practice

Research article

Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Leaves reduce the key enzymes activities relevant to erectile dysfunction in isolated penile and testicular tissues of rats

Research article

Reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of acupuncture: the PRISMA for acupuncture checklist

Research article

Inhibitory effects of Azadirachta indica secondary metabolites formulated cosmetics on some infectious pathogens and oxidative stress radicals