Patient Acceptability of the First Integrative Pediatric Oncology Unit in Spain-The Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona Experience: A Retrospective Study.

A groundbreaking program in Spain shows that children with cancer and their families are highly accepting of complementary therapies like acupuncture when offered alongside conventional treatment. The Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona created Spain's first integrative pediatric oncology unit in 2019, combining standard cancer care with evidence-based complementary approaches. Over two years, 433 young patients visited the unit, ranging from newborns to young adults up to age 34. Most patients (90%) were actively receiving cancer treatment, while others were survivors or receiving end-of-life care. The results were remarkable: when acupuncture was recommended to 227 patients, nearly 95% accepted and received treatment. Other complementary therapies showed even higher acceptance, with aromatherapy achieving 100% acceptance among 114 patients and reflexology reaching 96% acceptance across 414 sessions with 129 patients. These high acceptance rates suggest that families dealing with pediatric cancer are eager for additional supportive care options that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life during difficult treatments. The success of this program demonstrates that integrating complementary therapies into mainstream cancer care is not only possible but welcomed by patients and families. This model could serve as a blueprint for other hospitals looking to expand their supportive care options for children with cancer. If you're considering acupuncture for a child undergoing cancer treatment, work with a qualified, licensed acupuncturist experienced in pediatric oncology care.

This retrospective single-center study evaluated the implementation feasibility of Spain's first integrative pediatric oncology unit at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona. Data from 433 patients (median age 9 years, range 0-34) were collected over two years (September 2019-September 2021) through medical record review. The cohort comprised 61.4% males, with 90.1% in active treatment, 7.6% survivors, and 2.3% receiving end-of-life care. Acceptance rates for complementary interventions were exceptionally high: acupuncture 94.7% (227/240 recommendations), aromatherapy 100% (114/114 recommendations), and reflexology 96.1% (129 patients, 414 total sessions). No effect sizes or clinical outcomes were reported in this feasibility study. Clinical significance: These findings demonstrate high patient acceptability of integrative oncology services within a comprehensive pediatric cancer center, supporting the viability of implementing complementary therapies as part of patient-centered supportive care models in pediatric oncology settings.