Survey of parental acceptance of massage therapy, energy therapy and acupuncture for their children in the acute pediatric inpatient rehabilitation setting

Factors influencing caregiver decisions to use complementary and integrative therapies in pediatric oncology settings: Findings from a qualitative analysis

PURPOSE

Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) therapies (i.e., non-conventional Western medicine interventions) may reduce side-effects associated with pediatric oncology treatment. CIM therapies may also improve caregiver psychological and physical health that is exacerbated during pediatric cancer treatment. Despite known benefits, these therapies are not widely used within pediatric oncology populations in the United States. To guide and promote CIM use among this population, the aim of this project was to qualitatively explore factors that contribute to caregivers' decision to include CIM use in their own and child's care.

METHODS

Twenty caregivers of children (ages 0.5-14 years) being treated for cancer participated in this study. Each completed a demographic form and the CIM use questionnaire. Qualitative interviews followed by a card sort task were used to assess barriers and facilitators of uptake for caregivers and their child with cancer.

RESULTS

A number of predisposing (e.g., child age, beliefs) and needs factors (e.g., potential to treatment-related side-effects) provide insight into caregivers' decisions to use CIM for their child. Analyses also revealed the importance of enabling factors (e.g., resources) for caregiver use. Caregivers also reported benefiting from additional information about risk/benefit analysis of these therapies, and current research for CIM use in caregivers and children being treated for cancer.

CONCLUSION

Children may benefit from individually tailored complementary and integrative medicine consultations that explore patient history and specific needs factors to improve preference concordant care and uptake. Caregivers may benefit from support that improves enabling factors associated with care (e.g., improved accessibility).

Comorbid Feeding and Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Challenging Behavior, Sensory Issues, Adaptive Functioning and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

AIM

Children and adolescents diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often demonstrate difficulties with feeding. The goal of the current study was to investigate co-occurring issues that often accompany feeding problems in 120 children and adolescents with ASD. Method: This study investigated the relationship between feeding problems and gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging behavior and sensory issues, quality of life, adaptive functioning and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Results: High rates of feeding problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging behavior and sensory issues were endorsed by caregivers. Considerable differences were observed in the levels of gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging behavior, sensory issues, quality of life and CAM practices.Conclusion: The results of this study extend the present literature by highlighting comorbid conditions related to feeding problems and how feeding problems impact quality of life and adaptive behavior.