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Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of acute bronchitis in children: A systematic review
P M Wopker1, M Schwermer1, S Sommer1
1Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany.
Insights
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) shows promise for treating acute bronchitis in children, potentially reducing antibiotic use. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Integrative Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Acute bronchitis is a common pediatric illness with high healthcare utilization.
- Viral infections cause most acute bronchitis cases, yet antibiotic overuse is prevalent.
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may offer alternatives to antibiotics and complement conventional treatments for pediatric acute bronchitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review published literature on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treating acute bronchitis in children.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed using general and CAM-specific databases.
- A comprehensive search strategy incorporated 65 CAM-associated definitions.
Main Results:
- The search identified 309 articles, with 18 meeting the inclusion criteria.
- Investigated CAM categories included herbal medicine (notably Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs® 7630), anthroposophic medicine, and homeopathy.
- Pelargonium sidoides extract showed efficacy in three placebo-controlled trials and two observational studies. Anthroposophic and homeopathic remedies were also studied.
Conclusions:
- The reviewed CAM approaches suggest a favorable effect in treating pediatric acute bronchitis.
- However, only three of the 18 studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Further high-quality RCTs are essential to establish reliable evidence of CAM effectiveness for acute bronchitis in children.
Objective:
Our review summarizes published literature of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used for the treatment of acute bronchitis in children.
Background:
Acute bronchitis is one of the most frequent pediatric diseases and has high prevalence for in- and outpatient care. Acute bronchitis is mainly a viral-caused infection, but a high and inappropriate use of antibiotics has been demonstrated in many countries. As CAM therapies might reduce the use of antibiotics and can complement conventional therapies in children, they could be an appropriate treatment option.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted using general and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)-specific databases. A search term including 65 CAM-associated definitions was applied.
Results:
Literature search revealed 309 articles, whereby 18 articles hit search criteria. These clinical trials were subgrouped into the categories herbal medicine, anthroposophic medicine and homeopathy. The most often studied approaches are herbal remedies, in particular the Pelargonium sidoides extract, EPs® 7630. Its efficacy was demonstrated in three placebo-controlled trials and two observational studies. Anthroposophic approaches (mainly ribwort-containing remedies) were investigated in two controlled trials and three observational studies. Two studies were found investigating the homeopathic remedies Monapax® and Droperteel®.
Conclusion:
Study results indicate a favorable effect of investigated CAM approaches. However, only three of 18 studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), so a reliable statement on effectiveness was not possible and further RCTs are indispensable.
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