Children's Health

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Executive Summary

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Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Children's Health" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Children's Health" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Children's Health" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Systematic Review published in 2026 in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics found that Xingpi Yanger Granule, combined with conventional therapy, significantly improves and reduces the recurrence of Nocturnal Enuresis symptoms while diminishing side effects. The researchers carried out a comprehensive search across several Chinese and international databases to identify Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) that looked at the effect of Xingpi Yanger Granule (XPYEG) in aiding the treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis (NE) in children. These RCTs were subjected to a risk bias assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed using specific software. The quality of evidence was also evaluated by the GRADE approach, and Trial Sequential Analysis determined the required sample size and verified the study's reliability. According to the findings, the study found that compared with conventional therapy alone, the use of XPYEG significantly improved the core symptoms of Nocturnal Enuresis among the participating children. The XPYEG therapy contributed to a notable reduction in the frequency of NE and improved the quality of life significantly. Furthermore, the combined regimen offered a considerably lower risk of symptom recurrence and a reduced incidence of adverse reactions, reinforcing its potential as a safe and persistent adjunctive method. Along with these clinical benefits, a favourable influence was observed in biochemical correlates, primarily serving as a supportive mechanistic rationale.

A Case Report published in 2025 in the journal Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing found that Traditional Chinese medicine treatments showed sustained response in a child's chronic immune thrombocytopenia resistant to conventional treatments. The methodology used in this report revolves around a 6-year-and-1-month-old girl who displayed a poor response to conventional treatments for chronic immune thrombocytopenia like glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin. She was then treated with a traditional Chinese medicine formula as a complementary therapy. The discussion of the results showed that a sustainable positive response to the TCM treatment was observed for the child over three years. Her platelet levels were maintained within a safe range with no signs of bleeding. TCM treatments, such as Guipi Decoction, Ziyin Jianghou Decoction, and Shengxuexiaoban Capsules, were found to possess immunoregulatory effects that helped enhance platelet production and exerted anti-inflammatory and hematopoietic properties. This suggests that integrative approaches, including TCM, might provide additional therapeutic benefits for pediatric patients suffering from chronic or refractory immune thrombocytopenia.

A Clinical Study published in 2025 in the journal Scientific Reports found that Jujube syrup presented improved results in treating pediatric functional constipation compared to polyethylene glycol, demonstrating a potentially effective and safe alternative treatment. The researchers conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving children aged 2-10 years old diagnosed with functional constipation. These children were selected from patients referred to the gastroenterology clinic of 17-Shahrivar Hospital in Rasht, Iran. The eligible candidates were divided into two groups, each receiving either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or Ziziphus jujuba syrup (ZS) in a dosing range of 1-5 cc/kg/day. The patients were monitored over a three-month period, with bi-weekly check-ups in the first month, followed by monthly check-ups for the next two months. Additionally, liver and kidney function tests, as well as blood sugar levels, were verified at the start and end of the study. Out of 90 qualified children, 32 patients in the PEG group and 30 in the ZS group finished the follow-ups. The therapeutic response score in the group administered ZS showed a distinct improvement compared to those given PEG. Similarly, the average number of encopresis and pain scores, as measured by a visual analog scale, showed a significant reduction in the ZS group compared to the PEG group. Other indices, such as frequency of defecation and medication adherence, also showed a noticeable improvement in the ZS group. With only a few self-limiting side effects reported in the PEG group, it was determined that ZS provides a potential choice for functional constipation treatment without any adverse events or liver and kidney injury.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2023 in the journal Physiotherapy Research International found that Laser acupuncture therapy significantly improves bladder capacity and reduces bed wetness in adolescent females suffering from chronic nocturnal enuresis. In this study, sixty adolescent females who had been diagnosed with chronic nocturnal enuresis were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was given laser acupuncture therapy and desmopressin, while the other (control) group received only desmopressin. The laser acupuncture treatment was administered three times a week for twelve successive weeks. Both abdominal ultrasonography and voiding calendars were used to measure bladder capacity and maximum voiding volumes respectively, during the study. The results showed definite improvements in the group that received both the laser acupuncture and the desmopressin treatments. Specifically, bladder capacity was observed to increase significantly more in this group than in the control group, and the frequency of bed wetting episodes decreased, as recorded in the personal diaries of the participants. This suggests that laser acupuncture can have a beneficial effect on chronic nocturnal enuresis in adolescent females.

A Systematic Review published in 2023 in the journal European Journal of Pediatrics found that Honey potentially has superior results than cough medication or placebo in curtailing symptoms and enhancing sleep in children with acute cough. Methodology: This targeted review leveraged multiple databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science, to extract relevant trials relating to honey's usage in treating acute child cough. By applying a systematic approach, the emphasis was on randomized controlled trials featuring children. To ensure the results' credibility, payment was done for risk-of-bias as well as the quality of the evidence. The studies were not combined owing to the absence of essential information; instead, conclusions provided a range of noticed effects for principal results. Discussion of results: Following rigorous screening of almost four hundred papers, a select ten were incorporated. Significant variability in biases was noticed, with two studies possessing a high risk-of-bias and six inviting some concerns. The evidence, though of low to very low quality, indicated honey's potential superiority over placebo/no treatment and cough medication, both in reducing cough frequency and improving sleep quality.

A Systematic Review published in 2022 in the journal Cureus Journal of Medical Science found that Honey is effective in treating coughs in children above 12 months. The researchers undertook a systematic review of literature across five databases, using a Medical Subject Heading strategy, keywords, and defined inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. This review incorporated a range of study types, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, observational studies and cross-sectional studies. Those articles without a clear methodology section were excluded. The quality of the remaining literature was appraised using a specific checklist. Following the review, it was found that honey is effective in treating coughs in children older than 12 months. Cold and cough medications were also found to be safe, if given at therapeutic doses. However, a note of caution was highlighted for the use of these medications in children under two years, as fatalities have been recorded in some cases; although further studies are recommended to establish a clear safety profile.

A Systematic Review published in 2022 in the journal Medical Acupuncture found that Low-level laser therapy (LAT) significantly improves nocturnal enuresis (commonly known as bedwetting) in children, with red and infrared wavelengths being the most commonly used modalities. The methodology involved an exhaustive systematic review that was done by searching international databases using keywords related to laser therapy and nocturnal enuresis. From these searches, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were chosen, specifically those that utilized any form of low-level laser therapy in treating nocturnal enuresis. A total of eleven studies that used laser acupuncture therapy were selected, with 927 participants involved in these trials. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluation were used to appraise all the included studies—a meta-analysis was conducted, making use of full and partial response rate variables. The results showed that treatments that involved laser acupuncture therapy showed significant improvement compared to control groups when full response rates were analyzed. However, there was no significant distinction between groups treated with LAT and those that underwent conventional medication therapy. Laser acupuncture therapy was most commonly applied using red and infrared wavelengths, and the most common sites were the lower abdomen and back acupoints.

A Systematic Review published in 2022 in the journal Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing found that Moxibustion, acupoint injections, and laser acupuncture are potentially effective in treating nocturnal enuresis in children. To assess the effectiveness of different forms of acupuncture in treating nocturnal enuresis in children, a comprehensive literature review was conducted spanning Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Scopus. The comprehensive search tracked studies from the inception of each database to September 2020. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias for each study included. The quality of evidence was assessed through the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool. From the extensive search, thirteen trials were selected for review. The studies revealed that more children reported improvements in nocturnal enuresis when treated with moxibustion, acupoint injections, or laser acupuncture, as compared to control groups. However, when comparing the complete cure of nocturnal enuresis between laser acupuncture and desmopressin, no significant difference was observed. Despite the positive findings for moxibustion, acupoint injections, and laser acupuncture, the evidence supporting these interventions is still considered limited and of very low-grade quality.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2022 in the journal Phytomedicine found that Parent-administered pediatric tuina is effective at reducing core symptoms of ADHD in preschool children and improves child appetite and sleep quality. This research involved a two-arm, parallel, open-label, pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, where 64 participants were assigned to two separate groups. Parents in the first group attended an online course teaching them pediatric tuina for ADHD, which they would then apply to their children at home. The second group of parents went through online training about a progressive muscle relaxation exercise and engaged in interactive physical activities with their children at home. Both groups carried out their respective interventions every other day for two month, each session lasting at least 20 minutes. The project measured the rate of recruitment, consent, participant adherence, retention and any adverse events. Upon investigation, both groups demonstrated improvements, with moderate effect size within each group. This was reflected in improvements in core hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. Parents also noticed positive changes in their children’s eating habits, sleep quality, and overall parent-child relationship. No serious issues were reported in relation to implementing the parent-administered pediatric tuina or from the interactive physical activity sessions.

A Systematic Review published in 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Public Health found that Tuina massage therapy, either alone or combined with traditional Chinese treatments, significantly enhances the overall effectiveness in treating children suffering from nocturnal enuresis. The study undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate the effectiveness of Tuina, a type of massage therapy, compared to non-Tuina traditional Chinese medicine treatments in managing child bedwetting. The study followed the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines, using Review Manager 5.3 for meta-analyses. A total of 12 such studies were reviewed, involving 1,007 children in all. It emerged that Tuina could markedly bolster the overall success rate in treating nocturnal enuresis in children. The study further revealed that combining Tuina with acupuncture yielded higher effectiveness as compared to acupuncture alone. Similarly, the use of Tuina, whether alone or combined with herbal medicine, produced more promising results than relying solely on herbal therapy. The studies did not report any adverse reactions to Tuina treatment.

A Clinical Study published in 2022 in the journal Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science found that The combination of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is more effective in treating pediatric diarrhea due to spleen deficiency than Shen Ling Bai Zhu San alone. Methodology: The paper reports on a clinical trial involving a total of 105 children diagnosed with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. These children were randomly allocated into two separate groups: a control group and an observation group. The control group, consisting of 52 children, were exclusively treated with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San orally. The observation group, on the other hand, consisted of 53 children who received an additional Tuina treatment along with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. Results: After implementing the treatments, it was found that every child in the observation group showed improvement, compared to 90% improvement rate in the control group. This correlated to a decrease in scores of primary and secondary symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine in both groups post-treatment. Furthermore, the children in the observation group who received both treatments had even lower symptom scores than the control group who only received Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. The treatments were also well-tolerated with no significant adverse reactions reported.

A Clinical Study published in 2021 in the journal African Journal of Biological Sciences found that Consumption of pumpkin seeds enhances the nutritional status and improves the attention deficit of deaf female children exhibiting ADHD symptoms. This study investigated 40 deaf female children, aged between 10 and 12 years, who exhibited symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These children were selected from El Amal school for the deaf and divided into two groups; control and experimental. Various data were gathered on personal and socio-economic factors, food habits, diet history, and clinical signs, along with performing the Attention Deficit Disorder Connected with Hyperactivity for Deaf Children test. The experimental group underwent a dietary intervention, consuming 50g of magnesium and iron-rich pumpkin seeds daily over three months. The results indicated an improvement in both iron and magnesium levels within the experimental group following the dietary intervention. Notably, compared to the control group, the levels of magnesium and iron were significantly higher in the experimental group after introducing pumpkin seeds into their diet. Furthermore, on evaluating the ADHD symptoms via the Attention Deficit Disorder Connected with Hyperactivity for Deaf Children test, the experimental group showed a more substantial improvement after dietary intervention than the control group. Over time, the findings demonstrated the potential beneficial effects of consuming pumpkin seeds on the nutritional status and ADHD symptoms in the studied population.

A Review Article published in 2021 in the journal Translational Pediatrics found that Allergic rhinitis in children, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is interrelated with the functionality of lungs, spleen, and kidney and can be treated with combined Western and Chinese herbal medicines. The methodology of this study was based on a review of both traditional Chinese and Western medical theories and practices. Chinese theory postulates that BiQiu, or allergic rhinitis in children, is primarily related to a congenital deficiency in vital qi, dysfunction of the lungs inhibiting nose orifices, and a deficiency of spleen and kidney leading to lung qi deficiency. The review looked into herbal monomers and compounds of Chinese herbal medicines as potential treatments for allergic rhinitis, while also considering the impact of external factors like the cold and inadequate diet. The review highlighted some of the effects and shortcomings of Chinese herbal medicines used alongside Western medicines for treating allergic rhinitis. Particularly, it focussed on how the unique perceptions of life science of the human body from both Eastern and Western cultures can be brought together for a comprehensive method of treatment. The study also outlined future trends of research to enhance this combined treatment approach.

A Systematic Review published in 2021 in the journal Medicine found that The use of Yu Ping Feng San for pediatric allergic rhinitis appears relatively safe compared to Western medical therapy yet its routine use remains unsupported. The study undertakes a systematic search across multiple databases, including PubMed, the Excerpta Medical Database, Cochrane library and more, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the use of YPFS for pediatric allergic rhinitis. Extracted results were subjected to stringent bias-risk analysis based on the Cochrane Handbook. A meta-analysis was then implemented using RevMan 5.3 software, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was applied to check the quality of evidence for every outcome. The study pooled 10 RCTs covering 1,069 participants aged between 3-15 years for initial inclusion. After certain exclusions, it was determined from the remaining eight RCTs that the overall efficacy did not show any notable advantage for the test group. In addition, inspections into variation of serum immunoglobulin levels showed no statistical significance. However, the safety of YPFS displayed better results, demonstrating a relatively safer approach with lower recurrence rates compared to Western medical therapy.

A Clinical Study published in 2020 in the journal Russian Journal of Physiotherapy, Balneology and Rehabilitation found that Magnesium-rich mineral water effectively treats and prevents constipation in children, leading to regular, painless bowel movements. This randomized, prospective, open, comparative study involved 95 children and adolescents aged 10-16 years with functional constipation. They received sanatorium therapy for 18 days, including a sparing-exercise regimen, therapeutic nutrition, health-improving massage, and physiotherapy exercises. Participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (55 patients) received basic treatment plus magnesium-containing mineral water, while Group 2 (40 patients) received only basic treatment. The study assessed the frequency and nature of defecation, vegetative status, and functional body reserves. By day 5, 49% of Group 1 patients achieved daily defecation, increasing to 89.1% by the end of treatment. In contrast, only 55% of Group 2 showed positive changes by the end. The mineral water group also had softer, pain-free bowel movements, with most achieving a morning defecation reflex after consuming the water. The control group saw less significant changes in defecation nature, with only 18% reaching softer bowel movements by the end of treatment. The results indicate the effectiveness and safety of magnesium-containing mineral water in treating and preventing functional constipation in children.

A Review Article published in 2019 in the journal Neuropediatrics found that Currently, acupuncture is considered to be a safe, helpful, and available alternative option for patients who have not responded to or complied with conventional pharmacotherapy. The authors conducted an exhaustive review of existing literature exploring the use of acupuncture to address migraine headaches in children. This review encompassed understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture, studies on adult headaches, pediatric headache studies, consideration of acupuncture's safety, and its application in other health conditions present in children. The findings of this review suggested that acupuncture emerges as a safe and effective treatment option for migraine in children. Evidence proposes that it can be effectively integrated into the primary treatment regime to reduce the child's discomfort and pain. The effectiveness of acupuncture comes with the added advantage of being safe, with negligible risks, especially important when dealing with young patients. These insights support acupuncture to be seriously considered as an auxiliary treatment strategy for migraines in children.

A Review Article published in 2018 in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that Moderate‐certainty evidence showed that honey probably reduces cough duration to a greater extent than salbutamol or placebo. Honey group participants were first to get total relief of cough compared to salbutamol or placebo. Honey probably relieves cough symptoms to a greater extent than no treatment, diphenhydramine, and placebo, but may make little or no difference compared to dextromethorphan. Honey probably reduces cough duration better than placebo and salbutamol. There was no strong evidence for or against using honey. Most of the children received treatment for one night, which is a limitation to the results of this review. There was no difference in occurrence of adverse events between the honey and control arms.

A Systematic Review published in 2017 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that Traditional Chinese massage therapy can effectively treat asthma and significantly improve pulmonary function in children. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the effects of massage on treatment of children asthma. The findings produced by the fixed-effects model indicate that massage therapy can significantly increase the efficacy of the treatment on children asthma and improve pulmonary function index FEV1 and PEF. However, we could not conclude the favorable mechanism of massage in the overall meta-analysis due to the small number of articles. All studies have shown that massage therapy has a significantly positive effect on children with asthma, improves the pulmonary function parameters of large airway, reduces the plasma concentrations of PAF and prostaglandin, and increases the levels of PAF-AH and DP1; therefore, it greatly improves pulmonary function. However, the limited research designs of included studies lead to high risk of bias. More randomized controlled trials with better methodological quality are needed to further confirm the effectiveness of massage.

A Review Article published in 2015 in the journal Allergologia et Immunopathologia found that Milk and honey mixture seems to be at least as effective as dextromethorphan and levodropropizine, the most prescribed over-the-counter antitussives in Italy, in non-specific acute cough in children. Honey is recommended for non-specific acute paediatric cough by the Australian guidelines. Current available randomised clinical trials evaluated the effects of a single evening dose of honey, but multiple doses outcomes have never been studied. 134 children suffering from non-specific acute cough were randomised to receive for three subsequent evenings a mixture of milk (90 ml) and wildflower honey (10 ml) or a dose of DM or LDP adjusted for the specific age. The effectiveness was evaluated by a cough questionnaire answered by parents. Primary end-point efficacy was therapeutic success. The latter was defined as a decrease in cough questionnaire score greater than 50% after treatment compared with baseline values. Three children were excluded from the study, as their parents did not complete the questionnaire. Therapeutic success was achieved by 80% in the honey and milk group and 87% in OTC medication group (p = 0.25).

A Systematic Review published in 2015 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that We cautiously suggest that acupuncture therapy could demonstrate better clinical efficacy than pharmacological treatment or placebo treatment in treating nocturnal enuresis. In summary, the results of this study suggest that acupuncture therapy demonstrate better clinical efficacy than pharmacological treatment or placebo treatment in treating NE. Due to the low methodological qualities of included trials, the findings of current study should be interpreted with caution. Therefore, to further assess the potential beneficial effect of acupuncture therapy for NE, additional RCTs with rigorous experimental design, large-scale high quality methodological control, long follow-ups, and strict reporting specification are required.

A Systematic Review published in 2015 in the journal Pediatric Research found that The efficacy of acupuncture for some pediatric conditions is promising, such as for cerebral palsy, nocturnal enuresis, tic disorders, amblyopia, and pain reduction. This overview identified 24 systematic reviews, providing us with a comprehensive picture of acupuncture for pediatric conditions. Although most of the included studies could not draw firm conclusions because of the small size of the included trials or their low methodological quality, the efficacy of acupuncture for some pediatric conditions is promising, such as for cerebral palsy, nocturnal enuresis, tic disorders, amblyopia, and pain reduction. However, the efficacy of acupuncture for hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mumps, and myopia is unclear and the efficacy for ASD, asthma, and nausea/vomiting is controversial. Current evidence does not support the use of acupuncture for pediatric epilepsy. In this overview, we found that acupuncture was well tolerated and no fatal side effects were reported.

A Review Article published in 2014 in the journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America found that Traditional Chinese medicine can be effective in diagnosing and treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, offering an alternative to Western pharmacologic treatment. The provided methodology centered on an exploration and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine in diagnosing and treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The traditional theories of Chinese medicine that explain the cause and pathogenesis of ADHD were studied. From this perspective, they could define methods of syndrome differentiation, and provide a rationale for the treatment. The researchers also covered frequently accepted and successful clinical practices used by traditional Chinese medicine clinicians in China. In discussing the results, the authors provided support for the effectiveness of these traditional Chinese medicine practices in treating ADHD. They presented evidence from clinical practices in China which indicates considerable success in the diagnosis and management of the disorder utilizing these traditional methods. They particularly emphasized that these practices provide an alternative approach to Western pharmacological treatments, potentially offering more treatment options to ADHD patients.

A Review Article published in 2008 in the journal Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology found that Acupuncture is a safe complementary/alternative medicine modality for pediatric patients on the basis of the data we reviewed. We reviewed 31 different published journal articles, including 23 randomized controlled clinical trials and 8 meta-analysis/systematic reviews. We found evidence of some efficacy and low risk associated with acupuncture in pediatrics.

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