Key Finding
No clear evidence supports additional benefit from combining complementary therapies with standard antiemetics for pediatric CINV, though oral ginger showed promise in 75% of herbal intervention studies.
Researchers reviewed 18 studies to see if complementary therapies could help reduce nausea and vomiting when combined with standard anti-nausea medications in children receiving chemotherapy. The review looked at three types of complementary approaches: herbal remedies (mainly ginger), physical therapies (including acupuncture and acupressure), and psychological techniques. Among herbal treatments, ginger taken by mouth showed the most promise, with three out of four studies finding significant benefits. For physical therapies, which included needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and acupressure using either manual pressure or wristbands, only four out of ten studies showed clear benefits. Two of four psychological intervention studies also demonstrated positive results. Overall, the researchers concluded there isn't yet strong evidence that adding complementary therapies to standard anti-nausea medications provides additional relief for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in children. However, they noted these therapies are generally safe, affordable, and easy to use. If children and families feel these approaches help them, the researchers suggest they should still be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The review also highlights the need for more rigorous research in this area to better understand which complementary therapies might be most effective when used alongside conventional medications. If considering acupuncture or acupressure for your child, seek care from a licensed practitioner with pediatric experience.
This scoping review systematically analyzed 18 studies examining complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) combined with pharmacological antiemetics for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in pediatric oncology patients (ages 0-21). CIM interventions were categorized as herbal (n=4), physical (n=10), or psychological (n=4). Oral ginger demonstrated efficacy in 75% of herbal intervention studies. Physical modalities included manual and wristband acupressure, auricular acupuncture, and needle/laser acupuncture, with only 40% showing significant results. Psychological interventions yielded positive outcomes in 50% of studies. The review found insufficient evidence supporting clear additive benefits of CIM therapies combined with standard antiemetics. However, given the low risk, cost, and burden of CIM approaches, they may be considered when patients and families perceive benefit. The authors emphasize the need for future research with rigorous methodology to determine potential multimodal efficacy in this population.
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