Utilization of integrative medicine differs by age among pediatric oncology patients

Purpose Coping with symptoms related to cancer treatment is challenging for pediatric patients with cancer and their caregivers. Additionally, caring for pediatric patients requires specialized expertise to incorporate age-appropriate interventions to improve outcomes. Despite the increase in pediatric inpatient integrative medicine (IM) therapies, there is a paucity of knowledge about whether the utilization of IM therapies differs by patient age. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis on IM utilization among pediatric inpatients between 2008 and 2016 in a tertiary urban cancer center using electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the relationship between age and specific type of IM utilization, adjusting for specific demographic factors. Results Between 2008 and 2016, the pediatric inpatient IM service had 20 686 visits and treated 1877 unique patients. A significant age difference (P < 0.001) by modality was noted: dance therapy (mean age +/- standard deviation: 5.9 +/- 5.3 years), music therapy (8.0 +/- 7.0 years), mind-body therapies (13.0 +/- 7.7 years), massage (14.5 +/- 7.8 years), and acupuncture (20.0 +/- 7.9 years). In multivariable analysis, the association between age and use of specific IM therapies remained significant (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion Specific types of inpatient IM therapy usage significantly differed by the age of pediatric patients with cancer; therefore, designing and providing age-appropriate IM interventions with consideration for developmental stage are needed to ensure that the most appropriate and effective therapies are provided to children with cancer.