Integrative traditional Chinese medicine treatment for children with obstructive sleep apnea
Lai WY, Wei CC, Lin CH, Hang LW, Shih YH, Huang FW, Yen HR · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine · 2023 August
DOI 10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.08.002
Objective
The study aims to explore the effectiveness and clinical characteristics of integrative Traditional Chinese Medicine (ITCM) for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Conclusions
In a retrospective cohort study, children (<12 years old) with OSA were categorized into ITCM, western medicine (WM), and surgery cohorts. The ITCM follow-up cohort showed a significant reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and respiratory disturbance index (RDI), with an increase in body mass index (BMI). Compared to the WM cohort, ITCM resulted in a significant difference in RDI reduction. The most prescribed TCM formula in ITCM was Forsythia and Laminaria Combination, with Ephedrae Herba as the most prescribed TCM herb. Further research on the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy of ITCM for pediatric OSA is warranted.
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