Pediatric Hematology Oncology Providers' Attitudes on Acupuncture for Symptom Management

Strategic Insights -

Pediatric hematology oncology providers are interested in learning more about acupuncture as a symptom management tool for their patients with cancer, despite being reluctant to recommend it due to a lack of robust data in the pediatric oncology population. A cross-sectional survey of 78 providers at a US pediatric cancer center found that most participants would support institutional development of an acupuncture program and believed it could improve patients' quality of life. However, they rarely or never recommend acupuncture to patients due to concerns about its safety and efficacy.

Key Takeaways:

  • 56.0% of pediatric hematology oncology providers are interested in learning more about acupuncture for symptom management.
  • 73.9% of providers would support institutional development of an acupuncture program.
  • 52.2% of providers set a threshold for minimum hematologic indices for acupuncture, including a platelet count greater than 20,000 and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 500.
  • Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) of providers noted that acupuncture could improve patients' quality of life.
  • Most (67.6%) providers were not worried about the potential harm of acupuncture.
  • Providers rarely or never recommend acupuncture to their patients, with 61.3% saying they never recommend it.
  • The study highlights the need for rigorous studies of non-pharmacologic strategies for pediatric symptom management.

Statistics:

  • 78: The number of pediatric hematology oncology providers who participated in the survey.
  • 29%: The response rate of providers who participated in the survey.
  • 42: The number of providers who are interested in learning more about acupuncture.
  • 17: The number of providers who rarely recommend acupuncture.
  • 46: The number of providers who never recommend acupuncture.
  • 51: The number of providers who support institutional development of an acupuncture program.
  • 37: The number of providers who set a threshold for minimum hematologic indices for acupuncture.
  • 20,000: The platelet count threshold set by providers for acupuncture.
  • 500: The absolute neutrophil count threshold set by providers for acupuncture.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. "Reports Summarize Cancer Research from University of Utah (Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Provider Attitudes and Beliefs About the Use of Acupuncture for Their Patients)". Hematology Week. 8 Sep 2025.
  • Hematology Week. "Pediatric Hematology Oncology Provider Attitudes and Beliefs About the Use of Acupuncture for Their Patients". Children. 2025; 12(8): 961. doi: 10.3390/children12080961.
  • University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. "Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Provider Attitudes and Beliefs About the Use of Acupuncture for Their Patients". Children. 2025; 12(8): 961. doi: 10.3390/children12080961.