Considering biomedical/CAM treatments

Adolesc Med State Art Rev. 2013 Aug;24(2):446-64, x.

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used to treat children with psychiatric disorders. In this review, MedLine was searched for various biomedical/CAM treatments in combination with the key words "childre", "adolescents", "psychiatric disorders", and "complementary alternative medicine". The biomedical/CAM treatments most thoroughly researched were omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, and memantine. Those with the fewest published studies were N-acetylcysteine, vitamin B12, and oxytocin, although many biomedical/CAM treatments have no published studies. Although data are modest, there is evidence to suggest that biomedical/CAM treatments may be helpful for a subgroup of children with psychiatric disorders. Further research and more randomized, controlled trials in children are warranted.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy / methods
  • Adolescent
  • Chelation Therapy / methods
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / therapy
  • Complementary Therapies / methods*
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypericum
  • Oxytocin / therapeutic use
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy*

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • Oxytocin