For the pilot phase of an integrative pediatric program, we defined inpatient treatment algorithms for bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia, using medications and nursing techniques from anthroposophic medicine (AM). Parents could choose AM treatment as add-on to conventional care.

Material and methods

To evaluate the 18-month pilot phase, parents of AM users were asked to complete the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) and a questionnaire on the AM treatment. Staff feedback was obtained through an open-ended questionnaire. Economic data for project set-up, medications and insurance reimbursements were collected.

Results

A total of 351 children with bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia were hospitalized. Of these, 137 children (39%) received AM treatment, with use increasing over time. 52 parents completed the questionnaire. Mean CSQ-8 score was 29.77 (95% CI 29.04–30.5) which is high in literature comparison. 96% of parents were mostly or very satisfied with AM; 96% considered AM as somewhat or very helpful for their child; 94% considered they learnt skills to better care for their child. The staff questionnaire revealed positive points about enlarged care offer, closer contact with the child, more relaxed children and greater role for parents; weak points included insufficient knowledge of AM and additional nursing time needed. Cost for staff training and medications were nearly compensated by AM related insurance reimbursements.

Conclusions

Introduction of anthroposophic treatments were well-accepted and led to high parent satisfaction. Additional insurance reimbursements outweighed costs. The program has now been expanded into a center for integrative pediatrics.

Keywords: Integrative medicine, Complementary medicine, Anthroposophic medicine, Anthroposophy, Pediatrics, Bronchiolitis, Asthma, Pneumonia, Health care quality, Access, Evaluation

Citation: von Schoen-Angerer, T., Vagedes, J., Schneider, R., Vlach, L., Pharisa, C., Kleeb, S., Wildhaber, J., & Huber, B. M. (2018). Acceptance, satisfaction and cost of an integrative anthroposophic program for pediatric respiratory diseases in a Swiss teaching hospital: An implementation report. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 40, 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.005

Abstract: The association between gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma, although well established in adults, is less strong in the pediatric age group. Benefits of proton pump therapy are limited across age ranges. While there is a growing body of literature on the use of complementary treatments for both asthma and GERD, few studies have focused on treatment benefits for the GERD-asthma association. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy with asthma and GERD who was not responding to inhaled, low-dose corticosteroids, beta-mimetic therapy, and a 6-week course of proton pump inhibitor treatment. We noted a gradual disappearance of symptoms when he was given an oral preparation of Pulvis stomachicus cum Belladonna, an anthroposophic medication containing Matricaria recutita, Atropa belladonna, bismuth, and antimonite. Matricaria recutita and bismuth have known gastric protective properties, and Atropa belladonna contains anticholinergic agents that have a bronchodilatory effect. These complementary medications appear promising in terms of relieving the symptoms of GERD-associated asthma.

Citation: Von Schoen-Angerer, T., Madeleyn, R., Kiene, H., Kienle, G. S., & Vagedes, J. (2016). Improvement of Asthma and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Oral Pulvis stomachicus cum Belladonna, a Combination of Matricaria recutita, Atropa belladonna, Bismuth, and Antimonite: A Pediatric Case Report. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 5(1), 107–111. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.019

Background: Many children with chronic disease use complementary therapies. Anthroposophic treatment for paediatric chronic disease is provided by physicians and differs from conventional treatment in the use of special therapies (art therapy, eurythmy movement exercises, rhythmical massage therapy) and special medications. We studied clinical outcomes in children with chronic diseases under anthroposophic treatment in routine outpatient
settings.

Citation: Hamre, H. J., Witt, C. M., Kienle, G. S., Meinecke, C., Glockmann, A., Willich, S. N., & Kiene, H. (2009). Anthroposophic therapy for children with chronic disease: A two-year prospective cohort study in routine outpatient settings. BMC Pediatrics, 9(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-9-39

Published 2009.

Children with acute respiratory or ear infections (RTI/OM) are often unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem and antibiotic prescription for RTI/OM should be reduced. Anthroposophic treatment of RTI/OM includes anthroposophic medications, nonmedication therapy and if necessary also antibiotics. This secondary analysis from an observational study comprised 529 children <18 years from Europe (AT, DE, NL, and UK) or USA, whose caregivers had chosen to consult physicians offering anthroposophic (A-) or conventional (C-) treatment for RTI/OM. During the 28-day follow-up antibiotics were prescribed to 5.5% of A-patients and 25.6% of C-patients (𝑃 < 0.001); unadjusted odds ratio for nonprescription in A- versus C-patients 6.58 (95%-CI 3.45–12.56); after adjustment for demographics and morbidity 6.33 (3.17–12.64). Antibiotic prescription rates in recent observational studies with similar patients in similar settings, ranged from 31.0% to 84.1%. Compared to C-patients, A-patients also had much lower use of analgesics, somewhat quicker symptom resolution, and higher caregiver satisfaction. Adverse drug reactions were infrequent (2.3% in both groups) and not serious. Limitation was that results apply to children of caregivers who consult A-physicians. One cannot infer to what extent antibiotics might be avoided in children who usually receive C-treatment, if they were offered A-treatment.

Citation: Hamre, H. J., Glockmann, A., Schwarz, R., Riley, D. S., Baars, E. W., Kiene, H., & Kienle, G. S. (2014). Antibiotic Use in Children with Acute Respiratory or Ear Infections: Prospective Observational Comparison of Anthroposophic and Conventional Treatment under Routine Primary Care Conditions. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, e243801. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/243801

Introduction

Pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS) describes children with social withdrawal who become unable to walk, eat, or care for themselves. This case report examines whether an integrative medicine approach is useful for treating PRS.

Case Presentation

A seven-year-old girl with symptoms most consistent with PRS and depression was admitted to a pediatric ward in Germany that integrates conventional pediatric and psychosomatic care with anthroposophic medicine. She was integrated into the structured activities of the ward and received massages, movement therapy, and color light therapy. Her parents were fully integrated into her care. After four weeks, she talked again, showed increased appetite, and supported herself when moved passively. She made a full recovery within four weeks after hospital discharge.

Discussion

Integration of parents and an integrative medicine approach providing a variety of comforting sensory experiences was helpful for this patient with PRS.

Citation: von Schoen-Angerer, T., Helmschmidt, E., Madeleyn, R., Kindt, R., Möller, C., Kienle, G. S., & Vagedes, J. (2016). A General Pediatrics and Integrative Medicine Approach to Pervasive Refusal Syndrome: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4), 15–238. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/15-238