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Choi S, Park S, Lim YS, Park TY, Do KS, Byun SH, Yoon SH, Lee JH. A comparative study of a nerve block therapy with and without a deeply inserted acupotomy applied to hyeopcheok points for lumbosacral radiculopathy: Safety, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness (a randomized controlled, two-arm, parallel study, pilot study, assessor-blind). Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28983. [PMID: 35244070 PMCID: PMC8896499 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy is estimated to be approximately 3% to 5% in patient populations. Lumbosacral radiculopathy is largely caused by a complex interaction between biomechanical and biochemical factors. Nerve block therapy (NBT) mainly treats lumbosacral radiculopathy by improving the biochemical factors, whereas acupotomy mainly focuses on improving the biomechanical factors. Therefore, it is thought that synergistic effects may be obtained for the treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy when both NBT and acupotomy are combined. However, no study in China and Korea, where acupotomy is majorly provided, has reported the effects of such a combination treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the concurrent use of a deeply inserted acupotomy and NBT for the treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy. METHODS/DESIGN This is an open-label, parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial, which will include 50 patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. After patients voluntarily agree to participate in the study, they will be screened, and will undergo necessary examinations and tests according to the protocol. Those who satisfy the selection criteria will be randomly assigned to either the NBT + acupotomy or NBT groups in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will undergo 2 NBTs once every 2 weeks from 1 week after the screening test. The treatment group will receive additional acupotomy twice a week for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint is the Oswestry Disability Index, whereas the secondary endpoints are the Numeral Rating Scale, European Quality of Life 5-dimension, McGill pain Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, safety assessment, and economic feasibility evaluation. The measurements will be made at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial has received complete ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital (IS20OISE0085). We intend to submit the results of the trial to a peer-reviewed journal and/or conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooil Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Sukhee Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Young-Soo Lim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Tae-Yong Park
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Kwang-Sun Do
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Byun
- S-HEAL Pain and Korean Medicine Clinic, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Yoon
- Department of Applied Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Hyun Lee
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
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Li H, Jin X, Herman PM, Witt CM, Chen Y, Gang W, Jing X, Song P, Yang L, Ollendorf D, Zhang Y, Guyatt G, Huang L, Zhang YQ. Using economic evaluations to support acupuncture reimbursement decisions: current evidence and gaps. BMJ 2022; 376:e067477. [PMID: 35217521 PMCID: PMC8868047 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-067477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hongchao Li and colleagues explore the global challenges of including economic evaluations in decisions about reimbursement for acupuncture
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Li
- School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuejing Jin
- Centre for Evidence-based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | | | - Claudia M Witt
- Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yingyao Chen
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijuan Gang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Centre for Evidence Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xianghong Jing
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Centre for Evidence Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Song
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Longhui Yang
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Ollendorf
- Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, USA
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gordon Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Luqi Huang
- China Centre for Evidence Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Qing Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence Based Integrative Medicine-Clarity Collaboration, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Ningbo Nottingham Grade Centre, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
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Abstract
This survey study examines US trends in insurance coverage for acupuncture from 2010 through 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Candon
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Arya Nielsen
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jeffery A. Dusek
- University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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Park TY, Kim HJ, Lee JH, Sunwoo YY, Do KS, Han SN, Song YK, Chae DS. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment as an adjunctive therapy after knee replacement: Single-center, pragmatic, randomized, assessor blinded, pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e24941. [PMID: 33725856 PMCID: PMC7969218 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000024941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Total knee replacement (TKR) is a surgical procedure that is being increasingly performed as a result of population aging and the increased average human life expectancy in South Korea. Consistent with the growing number of TKR procedures, the number of patients seeking acupuncture for relief from adverse effects, effective pain management, and the enhancement of rehabilitative therapy effects and bodily function after TKR has also been increasing. Thus, an objective examination of the evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of acupuncture treatments is essential. The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that the concurrent use of acupuncture treatment and usual care after TKR is more effective, safe, and cost-effective for the relief of TKR symptoms than usual care therapy alone. METHODS/DESIGN This is an open-label, parallel, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial that includes 50 patients with TKR. After screening the patients and receiving informed consent, the patients are divided into two groups (usual care + acupuncture group and usual care group); the patients will then undergo TKR surgery and will be hospitalized for 2 weeks. The patients will receive a total of 8 acupuncture treatments over 2 weeks after surgery and will be followed up at 3, 4, and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. The primary outcome is assessed using the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC), and the secondary outcome is measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Risk of Fall, and Range of Motion (ROM). Moreover, the cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) is adopted as a primary economic outcome for economic evaluation, and the cost per NRS is adopted as a secondary economic outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial has received complete ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital (IS17ENSS0063). We intend to submit the results to a peer-reviewed journal and/or conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03633097.
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MESH Headings
- Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects
- Acupuncture Therapy/economics
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects
- Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/economics
- Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/rehabilitation
- Combined Modality Therapy/adverse effects
- Combined Modality Therapy/economics
- Combined Modality Therapy/methods
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Osteoarthritis, Knee/economics
- Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery
- Pain Management/adverse effects
- Pain Management/economics
- Pain Management/methods
- Pain Measurement/statistics & numerical data
- Pain, Postoperative/diagnosis
- Pain, Postoperative/economics
- Pain, Postoperative/etiology
- Pain, Postoperative/rehabilitation
- Pilot Projects
- Quality-Adjusted Life Years
- Republic of Korea
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yong Park
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital
| | - Hye-Jung Kim
- Department of Family, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine
| | - Jin-Hyun Lee
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital
| | | | - Kwang-Sun Do
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital
| | - Seong-Nim Han
- SongHeon R&D, Apgujeong-ro, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
| | - Yun-Kyung Song
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam-si
| | - Dong-Sik Chae
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea
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Kim D, Lee YJ, Park KS, Kim S, Seo JY, Cho HW, Ha IH. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT) for acute neck pain: A multi-center randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22871. [PMID: 33126334 PMCID: PMC7598807 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neck pain is a common complaint in the general population. Despite the consistent ongoing pain and the resulting economic burden on affected individuals, there have only been a few studies investigating the treatment of acute neck pain. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT) and acupuncture treatment for acute neck pain. METHODS This 2-armed, parallel, multi-centered randomized controlled trial will be conducted at 4 community-based hospitals in Korea. A total of 128 subjects will be randomly assigned, at a 1:1 ratio, to the MSAT and the acupuncture treatment groups. Treatment will be administered 2 to 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The primary outcome will be the visual analog scale of neck pain on movement. The secondary outcomes will be the numeric rating scale of the neck, neck disability index, Northwick Park questionnaire, patient global impression of change, range of motion of the neck, 5-level EuroQol-5 dimension, 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, and EuroQol visual analogue scale. This protocol has been registered at the Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04539184). DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this study is the first well-designed multi-centered randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of MSAT on acute neck pain. The results of this study will be useful for clinicians in primary medical institutions that frequently treat acute neck pain patients and for policymakers working with national health insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doori Kim
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation
| | - Yoon Jae Lee
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation
| | - Kyoung Sun Park
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation
- Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
| | - Suna Kim
- Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Seo-gu, Daejeon
| | - Ji-Yeon Seo
- Bucheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do
| | - Hyun Woo Cho
- Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Hyuk Ha
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation
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Tian C, Fan Y, Xu J, Huang Y, Wang W, Wang S, Song R, Li X. The efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with western medicine for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e21395. [PMID: 32871865 PMCID: PMC7458263 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000021395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obsessive-compulsive disorder is common, chronic mental disorder, which is characterized by recurrent, unwanted, or intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental action. Acupuncture and moxibustion, as a popular form of complementary and alternative therapy, have the advantages of low side effects, high safety, and low cost. The research showed that acupuncture and moxibustion have a good clinical efficacy on obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, there is no literature to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. Thus, this study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for obsessive-compulsive disorder patients, providing reliable evidence for clinical application. METHODS Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with western medicine for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder will be searched in the databases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), WanFang, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and China biomedical literature database (CBM) from inception to June, 2020. In addition, Baidu, Google Scholar, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Chinese Clinical Trials Registry will be searched to obtain the gray literature and relevant data that have not yet been published. Two qualified researchers will extract data and assess the risk of bias from included studies dependently. Statistical analysis is performed in RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS The efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with western medicine for obsessive-compulsive disorder will be assessed based on the total effective rate, Hamilton Anxiety Scale score, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score, Clinical Global Impression score, side effects, and so on. CONCLUSIONS The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with western medicine for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder is expected to provide reliable evidence for clinical application. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The private information from individuals will not publish. This systematic review also will not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval is not required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/CDGTW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunying Tian
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Yihua Fan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Jingyu Xu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Yang Huang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Wen Wang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Shenjun Wang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Ruiwen Song
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Xinju Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, P. R. China
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Tsai ST, Tseng CH, Lin MC, Liao HY, Teoh BK, San S, Tsai CH, Huang HY, Lin YW. Acupuncture reduced the medical expenditure in migraine patients: Real-world data of a 10-year national cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e21345. [PMID: 32769867 PMCID: PMC7593014 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000021345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES According to the data of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, almost all the countries got increased medical expenditures in these years. Among the diseases, migraine is a condition that affects predominantly young and middle-aged people. It results in great economic losses. So we perform this research to investigate the acupuncture effect of reducing medical expenditure and medical resources use. PERSPECTIVE Acupuncture is a non-pharmacologic treatment and it became popular in recent years. In Taiwan, about 13% migraine patients visited acupuncture doctor. We hypothesized that the acupuncture had the additional effect than the medical treatment. SETTING We analysed the economic cost and medical visits in the real word. METHODS We used national cohort data from Taiwan, retrospectively gathered between 2000 and 2010. We selected newly diagnosed migraine patients who were diagnosed by registered neurologists formally licensed by the Taiwan Neurological Society. We divided these patients into two groups: with and without acupuncture treatment. The main outcome was medical expenditures and visits within 1 year after acupuncture. RESULTS In migraine patients who received acupuncture treatment, medical expenditures on emergency care and hospitalization were significantly lower than the group without acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION According to our real-world data, acupuncture can reduce the medical expenditure in migraine patients within 1 year after diagnosis. For the health policy maker, it is cost effective to encourage combining acupuncture and western medicine to treat migraine patients. For the doctors in routine clinical practice, who may consider to consult acupuncture doctors to deal with the migraine patients together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Ta Tsai
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
| | - Chun-Hung Tseng
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University
| | - Mei-Chen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
- Management Office for Health Data (DryLab), Clinical Trial Research Center (CTC)
| | - Hsien-Yin Liao
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
- Department of Acupuncture, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Boon-Khai Teoh
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
| | - Shao San
- Department of Anesthesiology, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Chon-Haw Tsai
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University
| | - Hung-Yu Huang
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction refers to the continued inability of the penis to reach and maintain sufficient erections to achieve a satisfactory sex life and last at least 6 months. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice. In order to evaluate, the exact effect of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy of patients with Post-stroke Erectile dysfunction (PSED), this experiment uses randomized controlled experiments. METHODS/DESIGN This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 103 patients who are diagnosed with PSED. Simple randomization to conventional treatment with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-min acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the Intervention group. All participants will continue to receive conventional treatment. The selection of outcomes will be evaluated by International Erectile Function Index-5 (IIEF-5) score at week 8. DISCUSSION This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with PSED. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000030231, Registered on February 25, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Li
- Department of Urology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing
| | - Xudong Yu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Andrology
| | - Ruijia Liu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Neurology
| | - Jisheng Wang
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Andrology
| | - Sheng Deng
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Andrology
| | - Bowen Liu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Neurology
| | - Chongyang Zhang
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang
- Department of Acupuncture, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Chen Q, Tao Y, Wang L, Zhang J, Sun B, Yang X. A randomized controlled clinical study of acupuncture therapy for Seborrheic alopecia in young and middle ages: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant). Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e19842. [PMID: 32332635 PMCID: PMC7220544 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000019842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Seborrheic alopecia (SA) has clinical manifestations, duration of disease, and priorities. In the current situation where there are many and complicated clinical treatments, Western medicine treatment can delay and control the development of the disease and promote hair regeneration. However, some patients may aggravate symptoms after taking the drug, and the condition is easy to repeat after stopping the drug. Acupuncture is an important method for non-surgical treatment of SA, and it has various methods, low side effects, high safety, and simple and economical. Therefore, we will use a clinical randomized controlled study to explore the effect of acupuncture on SA, and provide a new idea and reference for the treatment of this disease. METHODS/DESIGN We will select 60 patients diagnosed with SA. They will be randomly divided into intervention group and control groups. The control group will be given conventional treatment measures. The intervention group will receive acupuncture. Efficacy will be evaluated by comparing the skin lesion score and dermatological quality of life index before and after treatment. DISCUSSION This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with SA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CTR2000030430.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yun Tao
- Department of Dermatology,Huabei Petroleum General Hospital
| | - Longjun Wang
- Graduate Student of Hebei University of Chinese medicine
| | - Jinfang Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
| | - Bichen Sun
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huabei Petroleum General Hospital
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- Qin Huang Dao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of HeBei North University,China
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Wang JS, Yang J, Deng S, Yu XD, Bao BH, Liu RJ, Li HS. Acupuncture combined with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsule in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e19540. [PMID: 32195959 PMCID: PMC7220438 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000019540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common urinary system disease in men. As part of traditional Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice. In order to evaluate the exact effect of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy of CP/CPPS, this experiment uses randomized controlled experiments. METHODS/DESIGN This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 166 patients who are diagnosed with CP/CPPS. Simple randomization to conventional drug treatment with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-minute acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the Intervention group. All participants will continue to receive conventional drug treatment. The selection of outcomes will be evaluated by Health's Symptom Score Index (NIH-CPSI) score at week 4. DISCUSSION This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with CP/CPPS. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR1900021132, Registered on 29 January 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Sheng Wang
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Beijing Fengtai Maternal and Child Health Hospital,Being, China
| | - Sheng Deng
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Dong Yu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese, Beijing, China
| | - Bing-hao Bao
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese, Beijing, China
| | - Rui-Jia Liu
- Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- The Fist Department of Neurology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijng, China
| | - Hai-Song Li
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese, Beijing, China
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Huang F, Sun K, Pan X, Xie K, Wu J, Tao J, Ma Y, Qi Y, Ma Z, Li X, Liang H, Wang S, Lei Z, Chen Z. Acupuncture for the treatment of ankle sprain: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis: study protocol. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e17905. [PMID: 31725639 PMCID: PMC6867787 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000017905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in our daily life, which may lead to chronic ankle instability, reducing the quality of patients' life and imposing a heavy burden on social medical security system. There are many kinds of methods treating ankle sprain, which can be divided into the conservative treatments and surgical intervention. Acupuncture is one of the conservative treatments for ankle sprain, especially in China. Therefore, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness, safety and cost benefits for the treatment. METHODS For the acquisition of required data of eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), literature search will be undertaken from the following database: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, and Wanfang database. Quality assessment of the included studies will be independently performed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool by 2 investigators and the level of evidence for results will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Statistical analysis will be conducted with Revman 5.3. RESULTS From the study we will assess the effectiveness, safety and cost benefit of acupuncture on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with ankle sprain. CONCLUSION The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to ensure the effectiveness, safety and cost benefits of acupuncture on ankle sprain, which can further guide the selection of appropriate interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018116829.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fasen Huang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Kai Sun
- Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyue Pan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Kunming Xie
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Junde Wu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Jingwei Tao
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Yufeng Ma
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Yinze Qi
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Zhanhua Ma
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Xinyu Li
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Huan Liang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Shulong Wang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Zhen Lei
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Zhaojun Chen
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
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12
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Nicolian S, Butel T, Gambotti L, Durand M, Filipovic-Pierucci A, Mallet A, Kone M, Durand-Zaleski I, Dommergues M. Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture versus standard care for pelvic and low back pain in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214195. [PMID: 31009470 PMCID: PMC6476478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for pelvic girdle and low back pain (PGLBP) during pregnancy. Design Pragmatic-open-label randomised controlled trial. Setting Five maternity hospitals Population Pregnant women with PGLBP Method 1:1 randomization to standard care or standard care plus acupuncture (5 sessions by an acupuncturist midwife). Main outcome measure Efficacy: proportion of days with self-assessed pain by numerical rating scale (NRS) ≤ 4/10. Cost effectiveness (societal viewpoint, time horizon: pregnancy): incremental cost per days with NRS ≤ 4/10. Indirect non-healthcare costs included daily compensations for sick leave and productivity loss caused by absenteeism or presenteeism. Results 96 women were allocated to acupuncture and 103 to standard care (total 199). The proportion of days with NRS ≤ 4/10 was greater in the acupuncture group than in the standard care group (61% vs 48%, p = 0.007). The mean Oswestry disability score was lower in the acupuncture group than with standard care alone (33 versus 38, Δ = 5, 95% CI: 0.8 to 9, p = 0.02). Average total costs were higher in the control group (€2947) than in the acupuncture group (€2635, Δ = —€312, 95% CI: -966 to +325), resulting from the higher indirect costs of absenteeism and presenteeism. Acupuncture was a dominant strategy when both healthcare and non-healthcare costs were included. Costs for the health system (employer and out-of-pocket costs excluded) were slightly higher for acupuncture (€1512 versus €1452, Δ = €60, 95% CI: -272 to +470). Conclusion Acupuncture was a dominant strategy when accounting for employer costs. A 100% probability of cost-effectiveness was obtained for a willingness to pay of €100 per days with pain NRS ≤ 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Nicolian
- AP-HP, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique- Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Centre intégré de médecine chinoise—Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
- INSERM and AP-HP, CIC-1421, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Thibault Butel
- AP-HP Unité de recherche clinique en économie de la santé—hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Gambotti
- AP-HP Unité de recherche Clinique, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Manon Durand
- INSERM and AP-HP, CIC-1421, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | | | - Alain Mallet
- AP-HP Unité de recherche Clinique, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Mamadou Kone
- AP-HP Unité de recherche Clinique, Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | | | - Marc Dommergues
- AP-HP, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique- Hôpital Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière- Charles Foix, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Levy I, Attias S, Gavrieli S, Oliven R, Neerland BE, Devlin JW, Ben-Arye E, Greenberg D, Schiff E. The study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial of acupuncture versus a sham procedure versus standard care alone for the treatment of delirium in acutely hospitalized older adults with a medical illness. Maturitas 2019; 124:72-80. [PMID: 31097183 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many hospitalized older adults experience delirium, but treatment options are limited. Acupuncture has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce agitation in dementia. We hypothesize that acupuncture, when compared with a sham intervention, will reduce the duration and severity of delirium, normalize delirium biomarkers, and improve clinical outcomes related to delirium in acutely hospitalized older adults with a medical illness. METHODS This three-arm, prospective, randomized, clinical trial will evaluate adults aged over 65 years who are acutely hospitalized to an internal-medicine ward and diagnosed with delirium or subsyndromal delirium. The 288 patients (96 in each of three groups) will be randomly allocated to receive either daily true acupuncture with usual care, a daily sham procedure with usual care, or usual care only in a 1:1:1 distribution for up to one week or until the patient is delirium-free for over 48 h. Other delirium and clinical interventions will remain unchanged. Delirium will be diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria and its severity will be assessed using the long Confusion Assessment Method Severity (CAM-S) tool. OUTCOMES The primary study outcome will be the daily CAM-S score over 7 days between the three groups. Secondary outcomes will include time to first resolution of the delirium (over 7 days), the proportion of days spent delirium-free, daily antipsychotic use, daily pain scores, sleep quality, morning serum cortisol and T3 levels, and midnight urinary cortisol/creatinine ratio, all determined twice a week, and delirium-related complications. Hospital mortality, duration of hospital stay and functional status at discharge will also be compared between the three groups. Adverse events potentially related to acupuncture will be evaluated daily. The cost-effectiveness of acupuncture will be estimated. CONCLUSION This novel randomized study will evaluate both the specific and the non-specific effects of acupuncture on delirium, and related outcomes, and its safety. Potential mechanism(s) of action for acupuncture in reducing delirium will be explored and healthcare-related costs estimated. Positive study results may prove pivotal in facilitating a multimodal, non-pharmacologic, integrative approach to delirium treatment among older, medical inpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Levy
- Internal Medicine B Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Samuel Attias
- Complementary Medicine Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sagi Gavrieli
- Complementary Medicine Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ron Oliven
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Internal Medicine C Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Geriatric Unit, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bjorn E Neerland
- Oslo Delirium Research Group, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - John W Devlin
- Northeastern University, School of Pharmacy, Boston, MA, United States; Tufts Medical Center, 1867, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eran Ben-Arye
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service and Lin Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dan Greenberg
- Department of Health Systems Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Elad Schiff
- Internal Medicine B Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Complementary Medicine Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Jin Y, Jin X, Li J. Fu's subcutaneous needling and constraint-induced movement therapy for a patient with chronic stroke: One-year follow-up case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e13918. [PMID: 30813122 PMCID: PMC6408031 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Spasticity is a common issue in chronic stroke. To date, no study has reported the long-term (up to 1 year) outcomes of Fu's subcutaneous needling in combination with constraint-induced movement therapy in chronic stroke. This report describes the successful addition of acupuncture on spasticity and arm function in a patient with chronic stroke and arm paresis. PATIENT CONCERNS The patient suffered an infarction in the right posterior limb of the internal capsule 1 year ago, which resulted in hemiparesis in his left (nondominant) hand and arm. The only limitation for constraint-induced movement therapy was insufficient finger extension. The patient was unable to voluntarily extend his interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints beyond the 10 degrees required for constraint-induced movement therapy. However, his muscle tension did not change after the BTX type A injection. DIAGNOSES A 35-year-old male experienced arm paresis after an infarction in the right posterior limb of the internal capsule 1 year before the intervention. INTERVENTIONS The BTX type A injection did not work, so the patient received Fu's subcutaneous needling as an alternative therapy before 5 h of constraint-induced movement therapy for 12 weekdays. OUTCOMES All outcome measures (Modified Ashworth Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test, and Motor Activity Log) substantially improved over the 1-year period. Moreover, during the observation period, the patient's muscle tone and arm function did not worsen. LESSONS As a result of a reduction in spasticity, a reduction of learned nonuse behaviors, or use-dependent plasticity after the combined therapy, the arm functions include volitional movements, and coordination or speed of movements in the paretic arm have been improved. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of an influence of the passage of time or the Hawthorne effect. The costs of the treatment of stroke may be reduced, if this combined therapy proved useful in future controlled studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jin
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Zhejiang Hospital, No. 12, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Jin
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Zhejiang Hospital, No. 12, Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangru Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Shanghai International Medical Center, No. 4358, Kangxin Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
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15
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Lin SK, Lo PC, Chen WC, Lai JN. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine healthcare into dementia care plan by reducing the need for special nursing care and medical expenses. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e14468. [PMID: 30762764 PMCID: PMC6407982 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000014468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Reducing the need for advanced nursing care and medical expenses is an essential concern of dementia care. We investigated the impact of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on advanced nursing care and medical costs.We used Longitudinal Health Insurance Database to implement a cohort study of patients with dementia between 1997 and 2012 in Taiwan. Data from the onset of dementia to 1st advanced nursing care for the endotracheal tube, urinal indwelling catheterization, and nasogastric tube were assessed using Cox regression proportional hazards model, and independent t test was used to determine the difference of hospitalization costs and days. We also used ANOVA test to compare the hospital cost, hospital stay, and numbers according to different duration of TCM.We assessed 9438 new diagnosed patients with dementia without advanced nursing care were categorized into 2 groups: 4094 (43.4%) TCM users, and 5344 (56.6%) non-TCM users. In the TCM groups, 894 (21.8%) patients were declared as advanced nursing care, while 1683 (31.5%) patients were in non-TCM group. Cox proportional hazard regression indicated that using TCM may decrease the need for advanced nursing care (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.56-0.66) compared to non-TCM. The TCM users have lower hospitalization costs and hospitalization time compared to non-TCM users.Integrating TCM healthcare into dementia care was found to be associated with a lower need for advanced nursing care, hospitalization costs, and admission time with more benefits from longer durations of TCM use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Ku Lin
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University
| | - Pei-Chia Lo
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei
| | - Wang-Chuan Chen
- The School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate, I-Shou University
- Department of Chinese Medicine, E-Da hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Jung-Nien Lai
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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16
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Abstract
An acupuncture clinic has been running in general practice without any funding for nine years. However, reorganisation of the health service meant that it had to become self-funding. A scheme for voluntary donations was introduced, with a target of £15 per treatment. In the first six months, the scheme covered the clinic's costs. A user survey was undertaken to elicit patients’ views on the scheme. The majority of patients thought that the scheme was a good idea, and the amount about right. However, a few patients found payment difficult, and stated that they would be less likely to use the service for that reason, or feel guilty about using it without paying. This information should be used to try to obtain public funding through public funds in the future.
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17
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Leem J, Kim H, Jo HG, Jeon SR, Hong Y, Park Y, Seo B, Cho Y, Kang JW, Kim EJ, Han GY, Kim JS, Lee HJ, Kim TH, Nam D. Efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture for chronic low back pain: A study protocol for a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, multicenter clinical trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e10790. [PMID: 29794761 PMCID: PMC6392913 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Back pain is one of the most common diseases, and many patients with recurrent pain seek alternative treatment strategies. Thread embedding acupuncture involves thread insertion at the acupuncture point for continuous physical and chemical stimulation. Although thread embedding is widely used in clinical practice, there is no sound evidence of its efficacy for chronic back pain. We describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial for investigation of the efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture for chronic low back pain. METHODS This randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, 2-armed, parallel, multicenter clinical trial will include 38 outpatients with chronic low back pain recruited from 4 traditional Korean Medicine hospitals. The patients will be randomly allocated to a treatment group (conventional acupuncture + thread embedding acupuncture) and a control group (only conventional acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group patients will receive thread embedding acupuncture treatment at 10 acupuncture points (multifidus muscle, 4 points; spinal erector muscles, four points; lumbar quadrate muscle, 2 points) once a week for 8 weeks (8 sessions). In addition, all patients will receive conventional acupuncture treatment at 14 acupuncture points (GV3, EX-B5, and bilateral BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL40, and BL60) twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions). The primary outcome will be the change in the visual analog scale score from visit 1 to visit 16, analyzed by independent t tests, in both groups. The groups will also be compared with regard to the clinical relevance (minimal clinically important difference), quality of life (3-level version of Euroqol-5D), disability level (Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire), global assessment (patient global impression of change), and safety. Cost data for cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses will be collected. DISCUSSION Our study results will provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of thread embedding acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture for the management of chronic low back pain. Even though the assessors will be blinded, the patients will not be blinded to treatment because of the lack of a sham embedding acupuncture group; this is a limitation of our study. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Research Information Service: KCT0002666.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungtae Leem
- Dongshin Korean Medicine Hospital, Seoul
- Chung-Yeon Medical Institute
| | - Hyunho Kim
- Dongshin Korean Medicine Hospital, Seoul
- Chung-Yeon Medical Institute
| | - Hee-Geun Jo
- Chung-Yeon Medical Institute
- Chung-Yeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Gwangju
| | | | - Yejin Hong
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Graduate School
| | - Yeoncheol Park
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul
| | - Byungkwan Seo
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul
| | - Yeeun Cho
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine
| | - Jung Won Kang
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul
| | - Eun-Jung Kim
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Dongguk University Bundang Oriental Hospital, Gyeonggi-do
| | | | - Jae Soo Kim
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsangbuk-do
| | - Hyun-Jong Lee
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsangbuk-do
| | - Tae-Hun Kim
- Department of Clinical Research of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongwoo Nam
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul
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18
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Nadareishvili I, Lunze K, Tabagari N, Beraia A, Pkhakadze G. USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN GEORGIA. Georgian Med News 2017:157-164. [PMID: 29227277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In Georgia, like in most countries globally, people commonly resort to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, not much is known about CAM practices there. The aim of the study was to document common practices of CAM in Georgia and related patient attitudes. We collected data from peoples who commonly use CAM at 20 service provision centers in Georgia using cluster sampling from 300 patients. We admininstered a cross-sectional survey and conducted descriptive statistical analyses. People in Georgia use CAM either for prevention to improve general health (33%) or to treat chronic conditions (36%), spending about 25 Euros per month out of pocket. Most (77%) get their knowledge about CAM from family or friends , less than half (44%) from books or media, and 11% from medical providers. A close person's advice or experience was the most common rationale given for CAM use (54%). In our sample, 17% either don't trust or are unsatisfied with conventional medicine, 29% found CAM treatment "very effective" and 61% "quite/partially" effective; only 5% not effective. Conventional treatment was stopped in half of the cases. 35% of respondents informed their physicians of their CAM use, while about half did not. Public mistrust towards conventional medicine, CAM user high satisfaction, relatively low cost of such services in Georgia - are the factors letting us to suggest that CAM use will further increase. Frequent self taking decisions made by patients to stop physician prescribed treatment, not informing physicians on CAM use, as well as other factors put patients health at risk. Further research and capacity building in practice, education and other related aspects are needed to establish evidence-based regulation and standards for CAM in Georgia that ensure informed decision making and patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Nadareishvili
- David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia; Boston University, USA; University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - K Lunze
- David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia; Boston University, USA; University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - N Tabagari
- David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia; Boston University, USA; University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - A Beraia
- David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia; Boston University, USA; University of Debrecen, Hungary
| | - G Pkhakadze
- David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia; Boston University, USA; University of Debrecen, Hungary
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Borah BJ, Naessens JM, Glasgow AE, Bauer BA, Chon TY. Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in an employee population: A retrospective analysis. Complement Ther Med 2017; 31:14-19. [PMID: 28434466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether acupuncture is a cost-effective adjunct to usual care for Mayo Clinic employees and their dependents experiencing pain symptoms. DESIGN Retrospective review of the medical and billing records of 466 employee-patients and their dependents who had received acupuncture as part of their care and 466 propensity score-matched control patients. INTERVENTIONS Usual care in combination with acupuncture compared with usual care alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was the total costs of care for all medical care and pharmacy services incurred from 1year before the index visit to 14 months after the index date. Secondary outcomes included the number of hospital visits, total inpatient days, emergency department visits, primary care or general medicine office visits, specialty office visits, and physical therapy services. Pain scores (patient-rated scores from 0 to 10) were extracted from the medical record, if available. RESULTS Costs of care were similar between the 2 groups. No cost savings were noted for the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS Several limitations to the study may have precluded a finding of cost-effectiveness. Future studies should include prospective evaluation of costs and other outcomes in a comparison between acupuncture and usual care in a randomized control trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijan J Borah
- Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - James M Naessens
- Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Amy E Glasgow
- The Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Brent A Bauer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Tony Y Chon
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
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Tian K, Yuan L. [TCM/aciipuncture therapy and medical insurance support in Switzerland]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2015; 35:827-829. [PMID: 26571903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Based on the expeienes in th acdemic exchanges in Switzerland and relevant data, the development of TCM/acupuncture in Switzerland, Swiss medical insurance system and the acceptance to TCM/acupuncture were introduced in the paper. The case analysis was applied to explain the reimbursement, proportion and additional conditions of Obligatory Basic Insurance and Supplementary Alternative Insurance on TCM/acupuncture; Additionally, in the paper, the certification and registration from EMR, ASCA and NVS for the TCM physician were introduced, which is required to the recognition by insurance companies. All of these provide the guarantee for the positive development of TCM/acupuncture in Switzerland.
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Wang J, Wu Z, Huo J, Yuan Y. [Questionnaire investigation on cost-effectiveness analysis of acupuncture for migraine]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2015; 35:377-383. [PMID: 26054150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE By using questionnaire method to understand the evaluation regarding cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for migraine in both doctors and patients. METHODS By using questionnaire method, questionnaires for doctors and patients were made respectively; by using network platform, two sets of questionnaires were publicly released, which were filled in online. The results were real-time background collected and then analyzed. RESULTS Totally 696 effective questionnaires for patients and 114 questionnaires for doctors were collected. The results indicated that (1)the direct cost (including treatment fee and material fee) for preventive treatment of migraine was 109 yuan per time in regular acupuncture, 152 yuan per time in regular acupuncture + electroacupuncture (EA) and 238 yuan per time in acupoint catgut embedding. The travelling expense was 42 yuan per time within the city and 193 yuan per time between cities. The indirect cost included cost for loss of working time (208 yuan per time), cost for treatment time (acupoint catgut embedding: 10 to 30 min per time, once one to three weeks; the remaining two treatments: 20 to 50 min per time, once to 5 times every week), time cost for arriving and departing hospital (1 to 3 hours per time within the city and 4 hours per time between cities). From the angle of treatment course, acupoint catgut embedding reduced the treatment frequency, leading to a lower total cost. (2)A mong the reasons to select different acupuncture methods to treat migraine, the results of patient questionnaire indicated that the focus in the patients who selected acupoint catgut embedding was different from that in the patients who selected two other treatments. The main advantage of acupoint catgut embedding was superior and lasting efficacy with low cost. The results of doctor questionnaire indicated the main reason to select acupoint catgut embedding was "lasting efficacy after single treatment" (87. 5%) and "lower frequency of treatment" (75. 0%). (3) The main reason to obstruct the popularization of acupoint catgut embedding was this method was not widely known. CONCLUSION The acupoint catgut embedding is one ideal preventive treatment for migraine, which has higher cost-effectiveness, however, currently it is not widely applied. In future advertisement and training program should be strengthened to perform targeted popularization of acupoint catgut embedding for migraine.
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Abstract
Despite the increase in acupuncture uses and greater than ever before interest of funding agencies to fund biomedical research in acupuncture, little is known about the profile of acupuncture users. We examined who these individuals are, where they reside, why they use acupuncture, and what price they pay. The increased use and high costs associated with each acupuncture visit poses questions to health care insurers regarding its coverage. Profiling will help conventional providers identify the segment of the population who are more likely to use acupuncture and educate them on the possible risks and benefits of using it with conventional medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamly Austin
- a Department of Critical Care Medicine , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania
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23
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Zimmermann GW. [Costs for acupuncture needles can be claimed in many cases]. MMW Fortschr Med 2014; 156:14. [PMID: 25608381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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Spackman E, Richmond S, Sculpher M, Bland M, Brealey S, Gabe R, Hopton A, Keding A, Lansdown H, Perren S, Torgerson D, Watt I, MacPherson H. Cost-effectiveness analysis of acupuncture, counselling and usual care in treating patients with depression: the results of the ACUDep trial. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113726. [PMID: 25426637 PMCID: PMC4245224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New evidence on the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture plus usual care (acupuncture) and counselling plus usual care (counselling) for patients with depression suggests the need to investigate the health-related quality of life and costs of these treatments to understand whether they should be considered a good use of limited health resources. METHODS AND FINDINGS The cost-effectiveness analyses are based on the Acupuncture, Counselling or Usual care for Depression (ACUDep) trial results. Statistical analyses demonstrate a difference in mean quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and suggest differences in mean costs which are mainly due to the price of the interventions. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis is used to express decision uncertainty. Acupuncture and counselling are found to have higher mean QALYs and costs than usual care. In the base case analysis acupuncture has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £4,560 per additional QALY and is cost-effective with a probability of 0.62 at a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per QALY. Counselling compared with acupuncture is more effective and more costly with an ICER of £71,757 and a probability of being cost-effective of 0.36. A scenario analysis of counselling versus usual care, excluding acupuncture as a comparator, results in an ICER of £7,935 and a probability of 0.91. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture is cost-effective compared with counselling or usual care alone, although the ranking of counselling and acupuncture depends on the relative cost of delivering these interventions. For patients in whom acupuncture is unavailable or perhaps inappropriate, counselling has an ICER less than most cost-effectiveness thresholds. However, further research is needed to determine the most cost-effective treatment pathways for depressed patients when the full range of available interventions is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eldon Spackman
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Stewart Richmond
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Sculpher
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Bland
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Brealey
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Rhian Gabe
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ann Hopton
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ada Keding
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Lansdown
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Perren
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - David Torgerson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Watt
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Hugh MacPherson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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25
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Meng XJ, Zhu AN, Liao XL, Ouyang QB. [Present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2013; 33:925-929. [PMID: 24377229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The development history, education, legislation, charge and institutes of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore are introduced in this article. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been developed in Singapore since 1840. Nowadays there are three universities that set up standard Chinese medicine courses and two acupuncture-moxibustion associations. Legislation of acupuncture and moxibustion is published in 2000. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for approximately 50 kinds of diseases. The acupuncture and moxibustion is at one's own expense in public or private institutions, but cheap or completely free in charity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Jun Meng
- Department of TCM of Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China
| | - An-Ning Zhu
- Department of TCM of Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China
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26
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Meng XJ, Huang J, Zhu AN. [The present situation and development of acupuncture and moxibustion in Portugal]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2013; 33:747-751. [PMID: 24195223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The development courses of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as the present situation, education and legislation in Portugal were reviewed in this article. Acupuncture and Moxibustion has been developed in Portugal since 1980's. The first acupuncture school appeared in the year of 1992. Until now, courses on Chinese medicine and acupuncture has already been set up in about six universities. Acupuncture legislation started in the year 2003. At present, professional levels of acupuncture practitioners vary a lot. There are over 50 indications currently. And acupuncture treatment is basically at one's own expense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Jun Meng
- Department of CM, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China
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27
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Coeytaux RR, Garland E. Acupuncture for the treatment or management of chronic pain. N C Med J 2013; 74:221-225. [PMID: 23940892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of acupuncture compared with no treatment, but it is unclear what role the placebo effect plays in acupuncture's efficacy. In determining whether acupuncture is indicated for a given individual or patient population, clinicians should consider acupuncture's effectiveness compared with no acupuncture--as well as the effectiveness, safety, and cost of alternative types of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy R Coeytaux
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27715, USA.
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28
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Zeng SL, Xu JS. [Acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2013; 33:357-359. [PMID: 23819247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The development status of acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia is introduced in this article. Although acupuncture and moxibustion only has a history of more than 30 years in Tunisia, it is very popular among the local people. Until now, there is one acupuncture and moxibustion center aided and built with the help of the Chinese government. Acupuncture and moxibustion clinical department has been set in some of the hospitals, and acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice is also carried out in some private clinics. Cost of acupuncture and moxibustion in public hospitals has already been covered by medical insurance. As for education of acupuncture and moxibustion, training courses were set up in medical colleges of Tunisia by Tunisian government which is lectured by Chinese acupuncture experts. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been used to treat many diseases in Tunisia and is warmly welcomed by Tunisian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Lin Zeng
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, TCM Hospital of Guangfeng County, Guangfeng 334600, Jiangxi Province, China.
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30
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White A, Richardson M, Richmond P, Freedman J, Bevis M. Group acupuncture for knee pain: evaluation of a cost-saving initiative in the health service. Acupunct Med 2012; 30:170-5. [PMID: 22914300 PMCID: PMC3470298 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2012-010151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has been provided in nurse-led group clinics in St Albans since 2008. It is funded by a commissioning group within the National Health Service, on a trial basis, for patients with knee osteoarthritis who would otherwise be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. AIM To evaluate the patients seen in the service's first year of operation and their outcome up to the end of 2010. METHODS Service evaluation was made of patient data from the referral centre and the acupuncture clinics, including baseline characteristics, attendance data and Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) symptom, function and well-being scores over at least 2 years. RESULTS 114 patients were offered acupuncture, of whom 90 patients were assessed in the acupuncture clinics. 41 of these were still attending after 1 year and 31 (34%) after 2 years. MYMOP scores showed clinically significant improvements at 1 month for pain (4.2 (SD 1.2) to 2.9 (SD 1.4)), stiffness (4.1 (SD 1.3) to 2.9 (SD 1.3)) and function (4.5 (SD 1.1) to 3.3 (SD 1.2)) which continued up to 2 years. Well-being scores did not change. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evaluation of nurse-led group (multibed) acupuncture clinics for patients with knee osteoarthritis to include a 2 year follow-up. It shows the practicability of offering a low-cost acupuncture service as an alternative to knee surgery and the service's success in providing long-term symptom relief in about a third of patients. Using realistic assumptions, the cost consequences for the local commissioning group are an estimated saving of £100 000 a year. Sensitivity analyses are presented using different assumptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian White
- Department of Primary Care, Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth University, UK.
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31
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Zhao CL, Jing XH, Li YQ, Li L, Rong PJ, Wang CE. [Analysis on research projects for acupuncture and moxibustion supported by NSFC during the 11th 5-year-plan]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2012; 37:328-332. [PMID: 23140057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In the present paper, the authors introduce the approved and finished research projects for acupuncture and moxibustion therapies supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) during the 11th 5-year-plan. A total of 194 research projects were subsidized by NSFC from 2006 to 2010. These projects include 6 aspects: meridian-collaterals, acupoint theory, acupuncture analgesia, mechanisms underlying improvement of different clinical problems, clinical trials, and moxibustion therapy. The research on acupoints has been becoming a new hotspot in recent years. Majority of the research projects focus on the mechanism of acu-moxibustion underlying improvement of different clinical problems, while fewer projects on clinical trials. During the 11th 5-year-plan, 119 projects were completed; most of them involved meridian-collateral theory, acupoint theory, mechanism of acu-moxibustion underlying improvement of clinical problems and acupuncture manipulations. Following analysis of the finished research projects, we find that 1) many neurobiological methods and techniques are commonly used in the research on meridian-collateral theory; 2) the research on acupoint theory is changing from observing the local morphological structure to identifying characteristics of the regional activated receptors, particularly under the circumstances of visceral pathological conditions and efficacies of acupoints; 3) researches on the underlying mechanism of acu-moxibusiton for improving clinical disorders mainly focused on its cerebral protective effects against cerebral ischemia, in addition, researches about other diseases on clinical conditions have been also carried out, but the related mechanisms are far from understanding; 4) In many research projects, various new methods and techniques, such as fMRI, position emission tomography, genomics, proteomics, molecular biology, nerve stem cell, etc. were widely used; 5) Randomized controlled multi-center clinical trials are definitely insufficient. Only two clinical projects were finished during the 11th 5-year-plan. Moreover, it should be noted that in the subject of acu-moxibustion, independent innovation researches are fewer; the foundation of competitive ability is relatively weaker; the supporting conditions for finishing the research projects are poorer in some institutes or districts; and the interrelations among the theoretical, experimental and clinical researches are not intimately close, leading to relative lag in the subject development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Long Zhao
- Institute of Acu-Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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32
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Pinto D, Robertson MC, Hansen P, Abbott JH. Cost-effectiveness of nonpharmacologic, nonsurgical interventions for hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: systematic review. Value Health 2012; 15:1-12. [PMID: 22264966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2010] [Revised: 08/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the cost-effectiveness of nonpharmacological, nonsurgical interventions for the treatment of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis. METHODS We identified economic evaluations or cost studies associated with randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that assessed nonpharmacologic, nonsurgical interventions for the treatment of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis. Medline, Embase, PubMed, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, CENTRAL, EconLit, and OpenSIGLE were searched up to October 1, 2010. Study characteristics extracted include study population, health outcomes, and economic analysis elements. Economic analyses were assessed by using the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument, and the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials was graded by using an internal validity checklist. All costs were converted to 2008 US dollars. RESULTS Ten economic evaluations and one randomized controlled trial reporting health-care costs met our inclusion criteria. Interventions included exercise programs, acupuncture, rehabilitation programs, and lifestyle interventions. Six of the 11 studies exhibited high risks of bias for the cost and/or effect components of their cost-effectiveness estimate. Six studies used comparators of unknown cost-effectiveness. Four studies reported cost-effectiveness estimates lower than $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. All studies evaluating exercise interventions found the programs to be cost saving. CONCLUSIONS There is only limited evidence for the cost-effectiveness of conservative treatments for the management of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis. More high-quality economic evaluations of conservative interventions are needed to further inform practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinto
- Centre for Physiotherapy Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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33
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Liu B, Li P. [Influence factors on supply and demand changes in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2011; 31:1041-1044. [PMID: 22136039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Based on principles of health economy and the present situation, the possibility and regularity on changes in the supply and demand field of acupuncture and moxibustion through various viewpoints were analyzed, which included demand and supply elasticity of acup-mox services to market price and the relevant factors, categories and nature of acup-mox services, business idea of supplier on the strength of marginal cost and marginal benefit, expenditure level and inclination of demander, complementary and substitutive treatment of acup-mox therapy, and the relevant time and geographic factors to change in quantity demand and supply. Therefore, it could be applied as reference to redaction and reform of the relevant health economics policy by health administrative management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Graduate School of Tianjin University of TCM, Tianjin 300193, China.
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34
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Huang LC, Pan WY. [Comparation of effect and cost-benefit analysis between acupoint catgut-embedding and electroacupuncture on simple obesity]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2011; 31:883-886. [PMID: 22043672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical effect of acupoint catgut-embedding and electroacupuncture on simple obesity and evaluate the economics benefit by cost-benefit analysis. METHODS Sixty cases were randomly devided into an acupoint catgut-embedding group and an electroacupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Ashi acupoints were selected as the main acupoints in both groups. The acupoint catgut-embedding group was treated with acupoint catgut-embedding, once each week, four weeks as a course for two courses. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture, three times each week for eight weeks. RESULTS 1) The total effective rate in the acupoint catgut-embedding group was 90.0% (27/30) and in the electroacupuncture group was 86.7% (26/30), with the similar therapeutic effect between the two groups (P > 0.05). 2) The body mass, body mass index (BMI), waistline, hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in the two groups were all decreased significantly (all P < 0.05). 3) The total medical treatment cost in the acupoint catgut-embedding group was 61 500 yuan and the cost per patient was 2050 yuan, and in the electroacupuncture group, the total cost was 117 210 yuan and the cost per patient was 3907 yuan. The cost effect analysis showed that there were 1857 yuan of the cost per patient in the acupoint catgut-embedding group less than that in the electroacupuncture group. CONCLUSION Acupoint catgut-embedding has significant effect in treating simple obesity with low cost and fine economics benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le-Chun Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second People's Hospital of Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519020, Guangdong Province, China
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Kim N, Yang B, Lee T, Kwon S. An economic analysis of usual care and acupuncture collaborative treatment on chronic low back pain: a Markov model decision analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med 2010; 10:74. [PMID: 21106108 PMCID: PMC3009613 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The collaborative treatment of acupuncture in addition to routine care as an approach for the management of low back pain (LBP) is receiving increasing recognition from both public and professional arenas. In 2010, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs (MOHW) of South Korea approved the practice of doctors and Oriental medical doctors (acupuncture qualified) working together in the same facility and offering collaborative treatment at the same time for the same disease. However, there is little more than anecdotal evidence on the health and economic implications of this current practice. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness and costs of acupuncture in addition to routine care in the treatment of chronic LBP patients in South Korea. METHODS The Markov model was developed to synthesise evidence on both costs and outcomes for patients with chronic LBP. We conducted the base case analysis, univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, and also performed the value of information analysis for future researches. Model parameters were sourced from systematic review of both alternatives, simple bibliographic reviews of relevant articles published in English or Korean, and statistical analyses of the 2005 and 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHNS) data. The analyses were based on the societal perspective over a five year time horizon using a 5% discount rate. RESULTS In the base case, collaborative treatment resulted in better outcomes, but at a relatively high cost. Overall, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a collaborative practice was 3,421,394 KRW (Korean rate Won) per QALY (Quality adjusted life year) (2,895.80 USD per QALY). Univariate sensitivity analysis of indirect non-medical costs did not affect the preference order of the strategies. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that if the threshold was over 3,260,000 KRW per QALY (2,759.20 USD per QALY), the probability for cost-effectiveness of a collaborative practice would exceed 50%. At 20,000,000 KRW per QALY, which is recommended using per capita gross domestic product (GDP) as the threshold, the probability would be 72.3%. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of our findings, acupuncture collaborative therapy for patients with chronic LBP may be cost-effective if the usual threshold is applied. Further empirical studies are required to overcome the limitations of uncertainties and improve the precision of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namkwen Kim
- Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, South Korea
- Oriental Medical College of Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Bongmin Yang
- Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Taejin Lee
- Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soonman Kwon
- Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, South Korea
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Abstract
Headache is one of the most frequent reasons for medical consultation in both general practice and neurology clinics.1 Tension-type headaches occur in up to around 80% and migraine occurs in about 15% of the UK adult population.1(,)2 Prescribed and over the counter-medications are taken to alleviate headaches and migraine, but may be used incorrectly.3 In particular, use of some drugs both frequently and regularly can have a paradoxical effect, causing headaches rather than relieving them, and leading to medication overuse headache.4 Acupuncture, which is usually provided privately by an independent acupuncturist,5 is increasingly being used in the NHS, particularly for painful conditions, such as headache.6-8 Here we consider whether acupuncture has a place in the management of patients with tension-type headaches or migraine.
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Chen YY, Ma LX, Zhu J. [Advances of studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for perimenopausal syndrome]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2010; 30:257-260. [PMID: 20496744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The literatures are retrieved in the Chinese science and technology periodical database of VIP (1989-2009). The clinical application and its mechanism of perimenopausal syndrome treated with acupuncture and moxibustion are summarized. The summarized literatures indicate that body acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding and combined therapy are used in acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of perimeno-pausal syndrome. The research of mechanism includes regulation of nerve-endocrine-immunity net, regulation of free radical metabolism, regulation of blood lipid and bone metabolism. The literatures suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion has definite therapeutic effect on perimenopausal syndrome with advantages of convenience, lower cost and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-ying Chen
- School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of CM, Beijing 100029, China
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Non-drug management of chronic low back pain. Drug Ther Bull 2009; 47:102-7. [PMID: 19734192 DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2009.08.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Estimates suggest that, at any one time, 12-33% of the population have back pain. About 5% of a GP's workload involves consultations for the condition, and around 32% of patients who first present with back pain consult again within 3 months. Also, most will still have some pain or disability 1 year after consultation. Indeed, patients who have been off work with chronic back pain for 1-2 years are unlikely to return to any form of work in the foreseeable future, whatever treatment they receive. Here we discuss the place of non-drug management for patients with the condition.
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Herman PM, Szczurko O, Cooley K, Mills EJ. Cost-effectiveness of naturopathic care for chronic low back pain. Altern Ther Health Med 2008; 14:32-39. [PMID: 18383988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the cost-effectiveness of naturopathic care (acupuncture, relaxation exercises, exercise and dietary advice, and a back care booklet) compared to standardized physiotherapy education and a back care booklet (control treatment) for low back pain in a sample (N = 70) of warehouse workers. DESIGN Economic evaluation based upon the results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to determine the cost-effectiveness of naturopathic care to society as a whole, to the employer, and to participants. RESULTS Naturopathic care (as compared to the control treatment) significantly improved quality-adjusted life-years over the 6-month study period (3-month intervention period and 3-month follow-up period) by 0.0256 (95% CI: 0.0075, 0.0437)--roughly equivalent to 9.4 "perfect health" days. Naturopathic care also significantly reduced societal costs by $1212 per participant. From the perspective of the employer, the intervention cost $154 per absentee day avoided (compared to employer costs of lost productivity of $172 per day) and had a return on investment of 7.9% under the healthcare coverage limits set by this employer and assuming the employer paid the full cost of naturopathic care. Participants experienced savings in adjunctive care of $1096 per participant. CONCLUSIONS This economic evaluation alongside a pragmatic randomized control trial shows naturopathic care to be more cost-effective than a standardized physiotherapy education regimen in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Further studies of the economic impact of naturopathic medicine are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Herman
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Witt CM, Reinhold T, Brinkhaus B, Roll S, Jena S, Willich SN. Acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea: a randomized study on clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in usual care. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008; 198:166.e1-8. [PMID: 18226614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2007.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 07/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea. STUDY DESIGN In a randomized controlled trial plus non-randomized cohort, patients with dysmenorrhea were randomized to acupuncture (15 sessions over three months) or to a control group (no acupuncture). Patients who declined randomization received acupuncture treatment. All subjects were allowed to receive usual medical care. RESULTS Of 649 women (mean age 36.1 +/- 7.1 years), 201 were randomized. After three months, the average pain intensity (NRS 0-10) was lower in the acupuncture compared to the control group: 3.1 (95% CI 2.7; 3.6) vs. 5.4 (4.9; 5.9), difference -2.3 (-2.9; -1.6); P<.001. The acupuncture group had better quality of life and higher costs. (overall ICER 3,011 euros per QALY). CONCLUSION Additional acupuncture in patients with dysmenorrhea was associated with improvements in pain and quality of life as compared to treatment with usual care alone and was cost-effective within usual thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Witt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
About 10% of people aged over 55 years in the UK report having some restriction of daily activity because of knee osteoarthritis, around 25% of whom are severely disabled. Every year, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis accounts for about 0.5% of all primary care consultations in those over 55 years, rising to 1% in those over 70 years. Acupuncture is increasingly being used within the NHS, particularly for painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, but its place within mainstream healthcare remains controversial. Here we examine what, if anything, acupuncture offers in the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
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Williamson L, Wyatt MR, Yein K, Melton JTK. Severe knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture, physiotherapy (supervised exercise) and standard management for patients awaiting knee replacement. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2007; 46:1445-9. [PMID: 17604311 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kem119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of standardized western acupuncture and physiotherapy on pain and functional ability in patients with severe osteoarthritic knee pain awaiting knee arthroplasty. METHODS Three-arm, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS 181 patients awaiting knee arthroplasty. INTERVENTIONS acupuncture for 6 weeks; physiotherapy for 6 weeks; standardized advice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Oxford Knee Score questionnaire (OKS) (primary); 50 m timed walk, and duration of hospital stay following knee arthroplasty. RESULTS There was no baseline difference between groups. At 7 weeks, there was a 10% reduction in OKS in the acupuncture group which was a significant difference between the acupuncture and the control group: Mean (s.d.) acupuncture 36.8 (7.20); physiotherapy 39.2 (8.22); control 40.3 (8.48) (P = 0.0497). These effects were no longer present at 12 weeks. There was a trend (P = 0.0984) towards a shorter in-patient stay of 1 day for the physiotherapy group [mean 6.50 days (s.d. 2.0)] compared with the acupuncture group [mean 7.77 days (s.d. 3.96)]. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that patients with severe knee osteoarthritis can achieve a short-term reduction in OKS when treated with acupuncture. However, we failed to demonstrate any other clinically or statically significant effects between the groups. Both interventions can be delivered effectively in an out-patient group setting at a district general hospital. Further study is needed to evaluate the combined effects of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Williamson
- The Great Western Hospital, Swindon, Wiltshire, UK.
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Abstract
Mrs A, an active 60-year-old woman, has a history of degenerative osteoarthritis of her knee with pain that has progressed over the past 8 years. She has undergone arthroscopic surgery for a meniscal tear and has taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate occasionally, but generally does not like taking medications. She is open to other therapeutic approaches and wants to know if acupuncture can help the pain, improve function, and stop her condition from progressing. The evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for knee pain and other common treatments, including exercise, NSAIDs, glucosamine and chondroitin, and intra-articular knee injections are compared, and costs and methods of acupuncture and selecting an acupuncturist are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Berman
- Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kernan Hospital Mansion, Baltimore 21207, USA.
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Eisenberg DM, Post DE, Davis RB, Connelly MT, Legedza ATR, Hrbek AL, Prosser LA, Buring JE, Inui TS, Cherkin DC. Addition of choice of complementary therapies to usual care for acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2007; 32:151-8. [PMID: 17224808 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000252697.07214.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness and cost of usual care plus patient choice of acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy (choice) compared with usual care alone in patients with acute low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Few studies have evaluated care models with facilitated access to and financial coverage for adjunctive complementary and alternative medicine therapies. METHODS A total of 444 patients with acute LBP (<21 days) were recruited from 4 clinical sites and randomized into 2 groups: usual care or choice. Outcomes included symptoms (bothersomeness), functional status (Roland), and satisfaction between baseline and 5 weeks, and cost of medical care in the 12 weeks after randomization. RESULTS After 5 weeks, providing patients with a choice did not yield clinically important reductions in symptoms (median -4, [interquartile range -7, -2] for usual care, and -5 [-7, -3] for choice; P = 0.002) or improvements in functional status (-8 [-13, -2] for usual care, and -9 [-15, -4] for choice; P = 0.15). Although there was a significantly greater satisfaction with care in the choice group, this came at a net increase in costs of 244 dollars per patient. This consisted of a 99 dollars reduction in the average cost to the insurer for medical care but an additional cost of 343 dollars, for an average of 6.0 complementary and alternative medicine treatments per patient. CONCLUSIONS A model of care that offered access to a choice of complementary and alternative medicine therapies for acute LBP did not result in clinically significant improvements in symptom relief or functional restoration. This model was associated with greater patient satisfaction but increased total costs. Future evaluations of this choice model should focus on patients with chronic conditions (including chronic back pain) for which conventional medical care is often costly and of limited benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Eisenberg
- Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Osher Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost effectiveness of acupuncture in the management of persistent non-specific low back pain. DESIGN Cost effectiveness analysis of a randomised controlled trial. SETTING Three private acupuncture clinics and 18 general practices in York, England. PARTICIPANTS 241 adults aged 18-65 with non-specific low back pain of 4-52 weeks' duration. INTERVENTIONS Ten individualised acupuncture treatments over three months from acupuncturists trained in traditional Chinese medicine (n = 160) or usual care only (n = 81). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained over two years. RESULTS Total costs to the United Kingdom's health service during the two year study period were higher on average for the acupuncture group (460 pounds sterling; 673 euros; 859 dollars) than for the usual care group (345 pounds sterling) because of the costs associated with initial treatment. The mean incremental health gain from acupuncture at 12 months was 0.012 QALYs (95% confidence interval -0.033 to 0.058) and at 24 months was 0.027 QALYs (-0.056 to 0.110), leading to a base case estimate of 4241 pounds sterling per QALY gained. This result was robust to sensitivity analysis. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed acupuncture to have a more than 90% chance of being cost effective at a pound20 000 cost per QALY threshold. CONCLUSION A short course of traditional acupuncture for persistent non-specific low back pain in primary care confers a modest health benefit for minor extra cost to the NHS compared with usual care. Acupuncture care for low back pain seems to be cost effective in the longer term. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN80764175 [controlled-trials.com].
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ratcliffe
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield.
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Chen FP, Kung YY, Chen TJ, Hwang SJ. Demographics and patterns of acupuncture use in the Chinese population: the Taiwan experience. J Altern Complement Med 2006; 12:379-87. [PMID: 16722788 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture, has substantially increased in western countries in the past decade. However, informative data concerning large-scale investigations of acupuncture used in the Chinese society remain rare so far. DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURE: The complete datasets of acupuncture outpatient reimbursement claims from 1996 to 2002 were supplied by the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan, and the usage frequencies and characteristics of the acupuncture users, as well as the disease categories that were treated by acupuncture in Taiwan were analyzed. RESULTS At the end of 2002, among the 21,869,478 total valid beneficiaries of National Health Insurance (NHI), 1,362,351 subjects (6.2%) used acupuncture during this year, but 4,948,464 subjects (22.6%) had used it for the whole 7-year period since 1996. A mean increment of 1,191,164 (53.6%) new users had been involved yearly. Among all those acupuncture users, a female predominance was observed (female:male = 1.12:1), and the age distribution displayed a peak at around the 40s, followed by the 30s and 50s. Private TCM clinics provided more acupuncture usage (82.0%) than did private TCM hospitals (13.7%). The disease categories treated mostly by acupuncture were diseases of the musculoskeletal system (46.2%); injury (41.8%); diseases of the nervous system (3.5%); and symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS Twenty-three percent (23%) of people in Taiwan had used acupuncture during this 7-year period. Musculoskeletoal and neurologic disorders were two major categories commonly treated with acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Pey Chen
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Willich SN, Reinhold T, Selim D, Jena S, Brinkhaus B, Witt CM. Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic neck pain. Pain 2006; 125:107-13. [PMID: 16842918 DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2006] [Revised: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 06/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is increasingly used in patients with chronic pain, but there is a lack of evidence on the cost-benefit relationship of this treatment strategy. The objective of this study was to assess costs and cost-effectiveness of additional acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic neck pain compared to patients receiving routine care alone. A randomized controlled trial including patients (18 years of age) with chronic neck pain (>6 months) was carried out. We assessed the resource use and health related quality of life (SF-36) at baseline and after 3 months using complete social health insurance funds and standardized questionnaires, respectively. The main outcome parameters were direct and indirect cost differences during the 3 months study period and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of acupuncture treatment. A total of 3,451 patients (1,753 acupuncture-group, 1,698 control-group) were randomized (31% men, age 53.5+/-12.9 years; 69% women, 49.2+/-12.7 years). Acupuncture treatment was associated with significantly higher costs over the 3 months study duration compared to routine care (925.53+/-1,551.06 euros vs. 648.06+/-1,459.13 euros; mean difference: 277.47 euros [95% CI: 175.71 euros-379.23 euros]). This cost increase was mainly due to costs of acupuncture (361.76+/-90.16 euros). The ICER was 12,469 euros per QALY gained and proved robust in additional sensitivity analyses. Since health insurance databases were used, private medical expenses such as over the counter medication were not included. Beyond the 3 months study duration, acupuncture might be associated with further health economic effects. According to international cost-effectiveness threshold values, acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment strategy in patients with chronic neck pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan N Willich
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES This paper addresses price elasticity, an indicator for the responsiveness of demand for healthcare to changes in price, in the context of a large public health clinic that provides acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and shiatsu. DESIGN The study is descriptive and observational. The observations resulted from a "natural experiment" and involved examining utilization before and after a 5 dollars(17%) price increase for all services. Aggregate data were collected on demographics and utilization of 222 clients using services over a 6-month period in 2004. SETTING Pathways to Wellness is a nonprofit agency that provides complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services to underserved, low-income clients. The agency administers a clinic that has been operating for the past 15 years and currently provides approximately 1200 treatments per month. OUTCOME MEASURES Utilization data on number of treatments administered were collected for 3 months prior to the price increase and compared to utilization data for the 3 months after the price increase. Comparisons were made for both the immediate changes in utilization (2-month data) and quarterly changes in utilization (6-month data). RESULTS Utilization dropped for all three services in the month after the price increase. Values of elasticity associated with the immediate changes were calculated as -0.35 for acupuncture services, -1.31 for Chinese herbal consultations, and -2.34 for shiatsu services, and indicate a wide range of responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS Values of price elasticities indicate a range of differential responses to change in price for services. The relatively smaller drop in utilization of acupuncture services may be consistent with clients' perceptions of effectiveness or immediacy of treatment symptom relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sommers
- Pathways to Wellness, Boston University School of Public Health, Health Services Research, Boston, MA 02116, USA.
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Acupuncture. Does it work? For which indications? Med Lett Drugs Ther 2006; 48:38-9. [PMID: 16685246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
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