Acupuncture for Sickle Cell Pain Management in a Pediatric Emergency Department,Hematology Clinic,and Inpatient Unit

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Acupuncture has been shown to mitigate certain painful conditions in children. However, utilization of acupuncture for addressing acute and chronic pain in children with sickle cell disease has not been well-studied. The aim of this article is to report the use of acupuncture to treat acute and chronic sickle cell pain in one patient in a pediatric emergency department (PED), hematology clinic, and inpatient unit of an inner-city children's hospital.

Case:

A 16-year-old Hispanic male with sickle cell disease was treated with acupuncture for 3 years. A retrospective chart review was performed to collect details on the acupuncture treatments, their effects on this patient's pain and anxiety, feedback from the patient and his family, and frequency of PED visits and admissions for pain.

Results:

Fifty-eight acupuncture treatments were administered for this patient's sickle cell pain during the period that was reviewed. His pain was reduced by an average of 2.3 points and 2.2 points for inpatient and outpatient treatments, respectively; and he had decreased anxiety. The frequency of PED visits and inpatient admissions for pain both decreased by 80% while this patient was receiving maintenance acupuncture.

Conclusions:

Acupuncture appeared to decrease pain and anxiety in this patient, and correlated with reduced PED visits and hospitalizations for his sickle cell pain. Acupuncture was feasible in both outpatient and inpatient settings.