Acupoint herbal patching for children with recurrent respiratory tract infection: A systematic review and...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) pose a significant health challenge in pediatric populations.
• Acupoint herbal patching (AHP) is a traditional therapy utilized for managing pediatric RRTI.
• The safety and efficacy of AHP for pediatric RRTI require systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating AHP for pediatric RRTI.
• To assess the efficacy of AHP in reducing the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children.
• To analyze the safety profile of AHP when used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across eleven databases up to January 2020.
• Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving pediatric patients diagnosed with RRTI.
• AHP was considered as either a standalone treatment or an add-on therapy.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two RCTs encompassing 3579 participants were included in the meta-analysis.
• AHP significantly decreased the annual outbreaks and duration of RTIs compared to placebo at 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups.
• No serious adverse events were reported, indicating a favorable safety profile for AHP.

Conclusions:

• Acupoint herbal patching (AHP) demonstrates promising efficacy in reducing the frequency and duration of RTIs in pediatric patients.
• AHP may contribute to improved immune function in children suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections.
• The findings support AHP as a potentially safe and effective therapeutic option for pediatric RRTI.