Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40223074›Full record

ArticleBMC pediatrics2025

Tiny needles, major benefits: acupuncture in child health.

Xiaobin Ge, Gonglei Yue, Guangzhong Du, Xue Fang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Xiaobin GeDepartment of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Gonglei YueDepartment of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Guangzhong DuDepartment of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Xue FangDepartment of Acupuncture, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.42 Wenhua West Road, Jinan City, Shandong Province, 250011, P.R. China. fangxue0912@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo retrospectively investigate the utilization patterns and clinical indications of acupuncture within the pediatric population in general hospitals from 2015 to 2020, including disease spectrum characteristics and relevance to pediatric subspecialties.

methodsThe clinical data of pediatric inpatients consulted by Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina Department of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University was collected from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020. The data collected include the number of wards in which consultation was requested, the diseases that require consultation, the distribution of pediatric tertiary disciplines and the system of disease affiliation.

resultsThis study summarizes 55 types of pediatric diseases treated with acupuncture. The most common health issues addressed include peripheral facial paralysis, diarrhea, reduced limb mobility or decreased muscle strength, postoperative bloating, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Acupuncture is utilized across all pediatric subdisciplines, with notable applications in neurology, critical care medicine, general surgery, respiratory medicine, and orthopedics. The classification of diseases for acupuncture consultations primarily focuses on disorders of the nervous system, respiratory system, neoplasms, and digestive system (according to ICD-11).

conclusionsIn summary, acupuncture has a broad range of applications in the treatment of pediatric diseases and can serve as a valuable complementary and alternative therapy. The advancement of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture in general hospitals is closely linked to the involvement of pediatric practices. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for clinical practice, acupuncture education, pediatric healthcare systems, and social research.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyChild HealthNeedlesAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolChinaFemaleHospitals, GeneralHumansInfantMaleRetrospective StudiesAcupuncture therapyComplementary and alternative medicineDisease spectrumGeneral HospitalPediatrics

Identifiers

PMID40223074
PMCPMC11995578

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.