Study Reveals Benefits of Pediatric Integrative Medicine Services

A recent study from University Hospitals Connor Whole Health has highlighted the effectiveness of pediatric integrative medicine services within a major health system. The program, which operates within UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, combines complementary therapies—such as lifestyle interventions, supplements, herbal medicine, cognitive strategies, and bodywork therapies—with traditional medical practices. This integrated approach aims to address care gaps for pediatric patients facing complex health conditions.

The findings, published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, shed light on the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses among U.S. children, including obesity, diabetes, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and mental health challenges. The study emphasizes that pediatric integrative medicine is emerging as a viable solution to meet these needs, despite limited literature on its implementation and the demographics it serves.

Initiated in 2020, the UH Connor Whole Health Pediatrics Program (UH CWHP) was designed as a physician-led service to provide comprehensive care. The study analyzed data from 2,677 outpatient visits involving 657 patients between March 2020 and September 2023. Common conditions among these patients included anxiety (59.2%), fatigue (44.4%), headaches (43.1%), abdominal pain (33.6%), constipation (33.0%), and long-COVID (24.7%).

Interventions frequently recommended in this program included dietary changes (61.8%), self-care strategies (33.8%), massage therapy (21.0%), and acupuncture (19.2%). The study also identified several supplements that were commonly suggested: probiotics (49.9%), vitamin D (42.6%), multivitamins (41.9%), and fish oil (39.4%).

The research revealed that many patients dealing with anxiety preferred non-drug treatments, showing a willingness to learn coping skills like cognitive reframing and breathing techniques. Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine were valued, with approximately 30% of patients utilizing Chinese herbal treatments. For those experiencing anxiety related to long-COVID, additional treatments, such as antihistamines, were often necessary.

For patients suffering from fatigue associated with long-COVID, key interventions included pacing techniques and low-dose naltrexone. Nutritional management focused on realistic dietary shifts towards nutrient-rich, minimally processed foods, with probiotics prescribed to those exhibiting dysbiosis linked to their diets.

The study further noted that around 30% of patients presented with vitamin D deficiency, while sleep disturbances were common among the cohort. Factors contributing to these issues included screen time before bed and inconsistent daily routines. Support strategies encompassed sleep education, referrals to sleep medicine specialists, melatonin prescriptions, and the management of iron deficiency.

Dr. David W. Miller, the study’s principal investigator and Medical Director of Pediatric Integrative Medicine, stated, “Pediatric Integrative Medicine can fill key service gaps in existing health systems, particularly in offering nonpharmacologic pain control methods and emotional regulation strategies.” He emphasized the program’s role in serving complex populations, including those affected by long-COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, who often struggle to find adequate care within conventional medical systems.

Dr. Kristi Artz, Vice President of UH Connor Whole Health, noted that the whole health model offers a framework for understanding patient priorities. She remarked, “This study demonstrates the variety of integrative and lifestyle strategies that can be implemented to improve the health of our pediatric patients.”

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance patient care, UH Connor Whole Health is implementing patient-reported outcome measures to build upon these findings. This initiative aims to provide further insights into the effects of pediatric integrative medicine on health outcomes.

For more information, refer to the study by Varun Natarajan et al, titled “CHARacterizing Pediatric Integrative Medicine Within a Large Academic Medical Center (CHARM),” published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, 2025, DOI: 10.1177/27536130251392583.