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Hyun E, Shin BC, Kim N, Lim B. Economic evaluation of acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment with usual care for mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis: A Markov model-based analysis. Integr Med Res 2023; 12:100982. [PMID: 37664453 PMCID: PMC10470223 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.100982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Collaborative care (CC), in which acupuncture is combined with usual care (UC), improves clinical outcomes and increases costs in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We evaluated the economic feasibility of CC for Korean female patients with mild-to-moderate KOA by using a cost-effectiveness approach. Methods Two alternatives for KOA (1. UC as a comparator; and 2. CC as an intervention) were defined based on clinical guidelines, official Korean statistics, and expert validation. Each alternative was simulated in a Markov model every 6 months for 10 years. Estimates of costs, utilities, and transition probabilities were obtained from official statistics and previous studies. The effectiveness of CC was synthesized from randomized controlled trials. A base-case analysis of a limited societal perspective, univariate sensitivity analysis, and probability sensitivity analysis were performed. An annual discount rate of 4.5% and threshold of 20,000 United States dollar per Quality-adjusted life year (USD/QALY) were applied. Results Every incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of CC calculated from the analyses was sub-threshold. In the base-case analysis, with a limited societal perspective, the ICER was 11,085 USD/QALY. The ICERs from the univariate sensitivity analyses were -2,577-16,748 USD/QALY. The average ICER in the probability sensitivity analysis was 12,412 USD/QALY. When the threshold surpassed 8,000 USD/QALY, the cost-effectiveness of CC exceeded 50%. The probability was 70.27% when the threshold was 20,000 USD/QALY. Conclusions CC for Korean female patients with mild-to-moderate KOA was generally cost-effective. Considering the limitations of the evidence, we propose a re-evaluation using further clinical studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhye Hyun
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Cheul Shin
- Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, Korean Medicine Hospital, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - NamKwen Kim
- Center for Big data & Comparative Effectiveness Research Economic Evaluation in Health and Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungmook Lim
- Division of Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
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Tang X, Shi X, Zhao H, Lu L, Chen Z, Feng Y, Liu L, Duan R, Zhang P, Xu Y, Cui S, Gong F, Fei J, Xu NG, Jing X, Guyatt G, Zhang YQ. Characteristics and quality of clinical practice guidelines addressing acupuncture interventions: a systematic survey of 133 guidelines and 433 acupuncture recommendations. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058834. [PMID: 35210347 PMCID: PMC8883258 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically summarise acupuncture-related Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs)'s clinical and methodological characteristics and critically appraise their methodology quality. DESIGN We summarised the characteristics of the guidelines and recommendations and evaluated their methodological quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. DATA SOURCES Nine databases were searched from 1 January 2010 to 20 September 2020. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES We included the latest version of acupuncture CPGs, which must have used at least one systematic review addressing the benefits and harms of alternative care options to inform acupuncture recommendations. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Reviewers, working in pairs, independently screened and extracted data. When there are statistical differences among types of CPGs, we reported the data by type in the text, but when not, we reported the overall data. RESULTS Of the 133 eligible guidelines, musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases proved the most commonly addressed therapeutic areas. According to the AGREE II instrument, the CPG was moderate quality in the domain of clarity of scope and purpose, clarity of presentation, the rigour of development, stakeholder involvement and low quality in editorial independence, and applicability. The study identified 433 acupuncture-related recommendations; 380 recommended the use of acupuncture, 28 recommended against the use of acupuncture and 25 considered acupuncture but did not make recommendations. Of the 303 recommendations that used Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to determine the strength of recommendations, 152 were weak recommendations, 131 were strong recommendations, of which 104 were supported by low or very low certainty evidence (discordant recommendations). CONCLUSION In the past 10 years, a large number of CPGs addressing acupuncture interventions exist. Although these guidelines may be as or more rigorous than many others, considerable room for improvement remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Shi
- Gastroenterology dept, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liming Lu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze Chen
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixuan Feng
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanping Liu
- Department of Acupuncture, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihua Duan
- The first Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqin Xu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Cui
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fen Gong
- The first Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Fei
- Department of Acupuncture, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Neng-Gui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianghong Jing
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - 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, Ontario, Canada
| | - 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
- Nottingham Ningbo GRADE center, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
- CEBIM (Center for Evidence Based Integrative Medicine)-Clarity Collaboration, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Primeau CA, Zomar BO, Somerville LE, Joshi I, Giffin JR, Marsh JD. Health Economic Evaluations of Hip and Knee Interventions in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:2325967120987241. [PMID: 34262974 PMCID: PMC8243245 DOI: 10.1177/2325967120987241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The economic burden of musculoskeletal diseases is substantial and growing. Economic evaluations compare costs and health benefits of interventions simultaneously to help inform value-based care; thus, it is crucial to ensure that studies are using appropriate methodology to provide valid evidence on the cost-effectiveness of interventions. This is particularly the case in orthopaedic sports medicine, where several interventions of varying costs are available to treat common hip and knee conditions. PURPOSE To summarize and evaluate the quality of economic evaluations in orthopaedic sports medicine for knee and hip interventions and identify areas for quality improvement. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS The Medline, AMED, OVID Health Star, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to March 1, 2020, to identify economic evaluations that compared ≥2 interventions for hip and/or knee conditions in orthopaedic sports medicine. We assessed the quality of full economic evaluations using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) tool, which consists of 16 questions for a total score of 100. We classified studies into quartiles based on QHES score (extremely poor quality to high quality) and we evaluated the frequency of studies that addressed each of the 16 QHES questions. RESULTS A total of 93 studies were included in the systematic review. There were 41 (44%) cost analyses, of which 21 (51%) inappropriately concluded interventions were cost-effective. Only 52 (56%) of the included studies were full economic evaluations, although 40 of these (77%) fell in the high-quality quartile. The mean QHES score was 83.2 ± 19. Authors consistently addressed 12 of the QHES questions; questions that were missed or unclear were related to statistical uncertainty, appropriateness of costing methodology, and discussion of potential biases. The most frequently missed question was whether the cost perspective of the analysis was stated and justified. CONCLUSION The number of studies in orthopaedic sports medicine is small, despite their overall good quality. Yet, there are still many highly cited studies based on low-quality or partial economic evaluations that are being used to influence clinical decision-making. Investigators should follow international health economic guidelines for study design and critical appraisal of studies to further improve quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Codie A. Primeau
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryn O. Zomar
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ishita Joshi
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - J. Robert Giffin
- Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- London Health Sciences
Centre, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn D. Marsh
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- London Health Sciences
Centre, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
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Shahabi S, Rezapour A, Arabloo J. Economic evaluations of physical rehabilitation interventions in older adults with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2019.1672785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Shahabi
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aziz Rezapour
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Arabloo
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Fenocchi L, Riskowski JL, Mason H, Hendry GJ. A systematic review of economic evaluations of conservative treatments for chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal complaints. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2019; 2:rky030. [PMID: 31431975 PMCID: PMC6649923 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rky030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim was to appraise and synthesize studies evaluating the clinical and cost effectiveness of conservative interventions for chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and describe their characteristics, including the type of economic evaluation, primary outcomes and which conditions. Methods The search strategy related to economic evaluations of lower limb MSK conditions that used conservative therapies. Eight electronic databases were searched (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, NHSEED and Proquest), as were the reference lists from included articles. The quality of articles was appraised using a modified version of the economic evaluations’ reporting checklist (economic) and The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias (clinical). Results Twenty-six studies were eligible and included in the review. Economic evaluations of conservative interventions for OA or pain affecting the knee/hip (n = 25; 93%) were most common. The main approaches adopted were cost–utility analysis (n = 17; 68%) or cost–effectiveness analysis (n = 5; 19%). Two studies involved interventions including footwear/foot orthoses; for heel pain (n = 1; 4%) and overuse injuries (n = 1; 4%). Fifty per cent of economic evaluations adopted the EQ-5D-3L as the primary outcome measure for quality of life and quality-adjusted life year calculations. Conclusion Economic evaluations have been conducted largely for exercise-based interventions for MSK conditions of the hip and knee. Few economic evaluations have been conducted for other clinically important lower limb MSK conditions. A matrix presentation of costs mapped with outcomes indicated increasing costs with either no difference or improvements in clinical effectiveness. The majority of economic evaluations were of good reporting quality, as were the accompanying clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Fenocchi
- Musculoskeletal Health Research Group, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University.,Yunus Centre for Social Business & Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jody L Riskowski
- Musculoskeletal Health Research Group, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
| | - Helen Mason
- Yunus Centre for Social Business & Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gordon J Hendry
- Musculoskeletal Health Research Group, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
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Hay E, Dziedzic K, Foster N, Peat G, van der Windt D, Bartlam B, Blagojevic-Bucknall M, Edwards J, Healey E, Holden M, Hughes R, Jinks C, Jordan K, Jowett S, Lewis M, Mallen C, Morden A, Nicholls E, Ong BN, Porcheret M, Wulff J, Kigozi J, Oppong R, Paskins Z, Croft P. Optimal primary care management of clinical osteoarthritis and joint pain in older people: a mixed-methods programme of systematic reviews, observational and qualitative studies, and randomised controlled trials. PROGRAMME GRANTS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.3310/pgfar06040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common long-term condition managed in UK general practice. However, care is suboptimal despite evidence that primary care and community-based interventions can reduce OA pain and disability.ObjectivesThe overall aim was to improve primary care management of OA and the health of patients with OA. Four parallel linked workstreams aimed to (1) develop a health economic decision model for estimating the potential for cost-effective delivery of primary care OA interventions to improve population health, (2) develop and evaluate new health-care models for delivery of core treatments and support for self-management among primary care consulters with OA, and to investigate prioritisation and implementation of OA care among the public, patients, doctors, health-care professionals and NHS trusts, (3) determine the effectiveness of strategies to optimise specific components of core OA treatment using the example of exercise and (4) investigate the effect of interventions to tackle barriers to core OA treatment, using the example of comorbid anxiety and depression in persons with OA.Data sourcesThe North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project database, held by Keele University, was the source of data for secondary analyses in workstream 1.MethodsWorkstream 1 used meta-analysis and synthesis of published evidence about effectiveness of primary care treatments, combined with secondary analysis of existing longitudinal population-based cohort data, to identify predictors of poor long-term outcome (prognostic factors) and design a health economic decision model to estimate cost-effectiveness of different hypothetical strategies for implementing optimal primary care for patients with OA. Workstream 2 used mixed methods to (1) develop and test a ‘model OA consultation’ for primary care health-care professionals (qualitative interviews, consensus, training and evaluation) and (2) evaluate the combined effect of a computerised ‘pop-up’ guideline for general practitioners (GPs) in the consultation and implementing the model OA consultation on practice and patient outcomes (parallel group intervention study). Workstream 3 developed and investigated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) how to optimise the effect of exercise in persons with knee OA by tailoring it to the individual and improving adherence. Workstream 4 developed and investigated in a cluster RCT the extent to which screening patients for comorbid anxiety and depression can improve OA outcomes. Public and patient involvement included proposal development, project steering and analysis. An OA forum involved public, patient, health professional, social care and researcher representatives to debate the results and formulate proposals for wider implementation and dissemination.ResultsThis programme provides evidence (1) that economic modelling can be used in OA to extrapolate findings of cost-effectiveness beyond the short-term outcomes of clinical trials, (2) about ways of implementing support for self-management and models of optimal primary care informed by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations, including the beneficial effects of training in a model OA consultation on GP behaviour and of pop-up screens in GP consultations on the quality of prescribing, (3) against adding enhanced interventions to current effective physiotherapy-led exercise for knee OA and (4) against screening for anxiety and depression in patients with musculoskeletal pain as an addition to current best practice for OA.ConclusionsImplementation of evidence-based care for patients with OA is feasible in general practice and has an immediate impact on improving the quality of care delivered to patients. However, improved levels of quality of care, changes to current best practice physiotherapy and successful introduction of psychological screening, as achieved by this programme, did not substantially reduce patients’ pain and disability. This poses important challenges for clinical practice and OA research.LimitationsThe key limitation in this work is the lack of improvement in patient-reported pain and disability despite clear evidence of enhanced delivery of evidence-based care.Future work recommendations(1) New thinking and research is needed into the achievable and desirable long-term goals of care for people with OA, (2) continuing investigation into the resources needed to properly implement clinical guidelines for management of OA as a long-term condition, such as regular monitoring to maintain exercise and physical activity and (3) new research to identify subgroups of patients with OA as a basis for stratified primary care including (i) those with good prognosis who can self-manage with minimal investigation or specialist treatment, (ii) those who will respond to, and benefit from, specific interventions in primary care, such as physiotherapy-led exercise, and (iii) develop research into effective identification and treatment of clinically important anxiety and depression in patients with OA and into the effects of pain management on psychological outcomes in patients with OA.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN06984617, ISRCTN93634563 and ISRCTN40721988.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme and will be published in full inProgramme Grants for Applied Research Programme; Vol. 6, No. 4. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Hay
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Krysia Dziedzic
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Nadine Foster
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - George Peat
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Danielle van der Windt
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Bernadette Bartlam
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Milisa Blagojevic-Bucknall
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - John Edwards
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Emma Healey
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Melanie Holden
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Rhian Hughes
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Clare Jinks
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Kelvin Jordan
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Sue Jowett
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
- Health Economics Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Martyn Lewis
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Christian Mallen
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Andrew Morden
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Elaine Nicholls
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Bie Nio Ong
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Mark Porcheret
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Jerome Wulff
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Jesse Kigozi
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
- Health Economics Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Raymond Oppong
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
- Health Economics Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zoe Paskins
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Peter Croft
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
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Birch S, Lee MS, Alraek T, Kim TH. Overview of Treatment Guidelines and Clinical Practical Guidelines That Recommend the Use of Acupuncture: A Bibliometric Analysis. J Altern Complement Med 2018; 24:752-769. [PMID: 29912569 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2018.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As positive evidence emerges for the use of an intervention to treat a health problem, the intervention gradually becomes incorporated into treatment guidelines (TGs) or clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that are related to that health problem. To assess whether this general hypothesis can apply to acupuncture, 96 health problems were identified for which positive conclusions in systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture have been made and then searched for TGs or CPGs that have recommended the use of acupuncture. METHODS Through August 31, 2017, searches were performed in relevant medical databases and Google using "treatment guideline," "clinical practice guideline," and the names of the 96 medical conditions as search terms. A "snow-balling" search approach was adopted. All positive recommendations were added into the registry. RESULTS A total of 1311 publications were found that recommended using acupuncture published between 1991 and 2017. The number per year reached 50 in 2005 and 100 in 2009. In addition, 2189 positive recommendations were found for the use of acupuncture. Of these, 1486 were related to 107 pain indications and 703 were related to 97 nonpain indications. These recommendations were made by a wide range of groups, such as government health institutions, national guideline, and medical specialty groups. The recommendations came from around the world but were especially abundant in North America, Europe, and Australasia. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Considerably more recommendations were found for the use of acupuncture than are known within the acupuncture or medical communities. A trend by year was also found; a rise in the number of positive statements about acupuncture was typically followed by a rise in the number of recommendations of acupuncture. Thus, the recommendations followed the emergent evidence for acupuncture. Better implementation plans need to be developed for the CPG/TG recommendations about acupuncture to be more effective/efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Birch
- 1 Department of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College , Oslo, Norway
| | - Myeong Soo Lee
- 2 Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine , Daejeon, Republic of South Korea
| | - Terje Alraek
- 1 Department of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College , Oslo, Norway .,3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Research Centre in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , Tromso, Norway
| | - Tae-Hun Kim
- 4 Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center, Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University , Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Tick H, Nielsen A, Pelletier KR, Bonakdar R, Simmons S, Glick R, Ratner E, Lemmon RL, Wayne P, Zador V. Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Comprehensive Pain Care: The Consortium Pain Task Force White Paper. Explore (NY) 2018; 14:177-211. [PMID: 29735382 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Medical pain management is in crisis; from the pervasiveness of pain to inadequate pain treatment, from the escalation of prescription opioids to an epidemic in addiction, diversion and overdose deaths. The rising costs of pain care and managing adverse effects of that care have prompted action from state and federal agencies including the DOD, VHA, NIH, FDA and CDC. There is pressure for pain medicine to shift away from reliance on opioids, ineffective procedures and surgeries toward comprehensive pain management that includes evidence-based nonpharmacologic options. This White Paper details the historical context and magnitude of the current pain problem including individual, social and economic impacts as well as the challenges of pain management for patients and a healthcare workforce engaging prevalent strategies not entirely based in current evidence. Detailed here is the evidence-base for nonpharmacologic therapies effective in postsurgical pain with opioid sparing, acute non-surgical pain, cancer pain and chronic pain. Therapies reviewed include acupuncture therapy, massage therapy, osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation, meditative movement therapies Tai chi and yoga, mind body behavioral interventions, dietary components and self-care/self-efficacy strategies. Transforming the system of pain care to a responsive comprehensive model necessitates that options for treatment and collaborative care must be evidence-based and include effective nonpharmacologic strategies that have the advantage of reduced risks of adverse events and addiction liability. The evidence demands a call to action to increase awareness of effective nonpharmacologic treatments for pain, to train healthcare practitioners and administrators in the evidence base of effective nonpharmacologic practice, to advocate for policy initiatives that remedy system and reimbursement barriers to evidence-informed comprehensive pain care, and to promote ongoing research and dissemination of the role of effective nonpharmacologic treatments in pain, focused on the short- and long-term therapeutic and economic impact of comprehensive care practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Tick
- Departments of Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
| | - Arya Nielsen
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.
| | - Kenneth R Pelletier
- Department of Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Robert Bonakdar
- Department of Pain Management, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Ronald Glick
- Departments of Psychiatry and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Emily Ratner
- MedStar Health, Institute for Innovation, Integrative Medicine Initiatives, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Russell L Lemmon
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Peter Wayne
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Veronica Zador
- Beaumont Hospital Integrative Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI
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Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, MacPherson H, Foster NE, Sherman KJ, Irnich D, Witt CM, Linde K. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2017; 19:455-474. [PMID: 29198932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite wide use in clinical practice, acupuncture remains a controversial treatment for chronic pain. Our objective was to update an individual patient data meta-analysis to determine the effect size of acupuncture for 4 chronic pain conditions. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials randomized trials published up until December 31, 2015. We included randomized trials of acupuncture needling versus either sham acupuncture or no acupuncture control for nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, or shoulder pain. Trials were only included if allocation concealment was unambiguously determined to be adequate. Raw data were obtained from study authors and entered into an individual patient data meta-analysis. The main outcome measures were pain and function. An additional 13 trials were identified, with data received for a total of 20,827 patients from 39 trials. Acupuncture was superior to sham as well as no acupuncture control for each pain condition (all P < .001) with differences between groups close to .5 SDs compared with no acupuncture control and close to .2 SDs compared with sham. We also found clear evidence that the effects of acupuncture persist over time with only a small decrease, approximately 15%, in treatment effect at 1 year. In secondary analyses, we found no obvious association between trial outcome and characteristics of acupuncture treatment, but effect sizes of acupuncture were associated with the type of control group, with smaller effects sizes for sham controlled trials that used a penetrating needle for sham, and for trials that had high intensity of intervention in the control arm. We conclude that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, with treatment effects persisting over time. Although factors in addition to the specific effects of needling at correct acupuncture point locations are important contributors to the treatment effect, decreases in pain after acupuncture cannot be explained solely in terms of placebo effects. Variations in the effect size of acupuncture in different trials are driven predominantly by differences in treatments received by the control group rather than by differences in the characteristics of acupuncture treatment. PERSPECTIVE Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal, headache, and osteoarthritis pain. Treatment effects of acupuncture persist over time and cannot be explained solely in terms of placebo effects. Referral for a course of acupuncture treatment is a reasonable option for a patient with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George Lewith
- University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom (deceased)
| | | | | | - Karen J Sherman
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Claudia M Witt
- University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Charite-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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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] [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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White A, Tough L, Eyre V, Vickery J, Asprey A, Quinn C, Warren F, Pritchard C, Foster NE, Taylor RS, Underwood M, Dieppe P. Western medical acupuncture in a group setting for knee osteoarthritis: results of a pilot randomised controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2016; 2:10. [PMID: 27965830 PMCID: PMC5153913 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-016-0051-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence suggests acupuncture may be effective for treating the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Offering this in a group setting may offer cost savings. The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a definitive trial to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Western medical acupuncture given in groups, or given individually, for adults with severe knee pain attributable to osteoarthritis. Methods A pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. Participants were recruited from seven general practices in Plymouth, Devon. Acupuncture was provided, at a dosage that increased up to and including electroacupuncture if no pain relief was reported, by one experienced acupuncturist in a community clinic. Potentially eligible adults aged at least 45 years with knee osteoarthritis were identified from practice registers, screened and randomised to either: (1) standardised advice and exercise booklet alone (‘standard’); (2) booklet plus group acupuncture (‘group’); and (3) booklet plus individual acupuncture (‘individual’). Both acupuncture arms received up to ten treatments over 12 weeks. Recruitment, retention and data completion rates were recorded, and participants completed questionnaires on acceptability. We collected pain, stiffness and function data (using the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; WOMAC) and general health (EQ-5D) and economic measures at baseline and 14 weeks post-randomisation. Results We screened 149 people and randomised 60 (40 %), 20 per arm. The overall 14 week follow-up rate was 77 %, but only 70 % in the ‘standard’ group; 4.1 % of data points were missing. The study was acceptable to participants. Changes in WOMAC pain score (intention to treat complete case analysis) from baseline to 14 week follow-up were: ‘standard’, 0.4 (95 % confidence interval (CI) −1.4, 2.2, n = 14); ‘group’ −3.2 (95 % CI −5.1, −1.4, n = 17); ‘individual’ −2.4 (95 % CI −4.1, −0.7, n = 15). Conclusions A definitive three-arm trial is feasible. Further follow-up reminders, minimum data collection and incentives should be considered to improve participant retention in the follow-up processes in the standardised advice and exercise booklet arm. Trial registration ISRCTN05305406 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40814-016-0051-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian White
- Primary Care, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Room 14, ITTC Building, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BX UK
| | - Liz Tough
- Primary Care, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Room 14, ITTC Building, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BX UK
| | - Vicky Eyre
- Peninsula CTU, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | - Jane Vickery
- Peninsula CTU, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | - Anthea Asprey
- Primary Care, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Cath Quinn
- Primary Care, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Room 14, ITTC Building, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BX UK
| | - Fiona Warren
- Primary Care, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Nadine E Foster
- Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Rod S Taylor
- Primary Care, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Paul Dieppe
- Primary Care, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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Zhou K, Fan AY, Wang T. Acupuncture for Chronic Knee Pain: A Critical Appraisal of an Australian Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Acupunct 2016. [DOI: 10.1089/acu.2015.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kehua Zhou
- Department of Health Care Studies, Daemen College, Amherst, NY
- Daemen College Physical Therapy Wound Care Clinic, Daemen College, Amherst, NY
| | - Arthur Yin Fan
- McLean Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PLC, Vienna, VA
| | - Tong Wang
- American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Houston, TX
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Brilleman SL, Metcalfe C, Peters TJ, Hollingworth W. The Reporting of Treatment Nonadherence and Its Associated Impact on Economic Evaluations Conducted Alongside Randomized Trials: A Systematic Review. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2016; 19:99-108. [PMID: 26797242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To review trial-based economic evaluations, identifying 1) the proportion reporting adherence, 2) methods for assigning intervention costs according to adherence, 3) which participants were included in the economic analysis, and 4) statistical methods to estimate cost-effectiveness in those who adhered. We provide recommendations on handling nonadherence in economic evaluations. METHODS The National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database was searched for recently published trials. We extracted information on the methods used to assign shared costs in the presence of nonadherence and methods to account for nonadherence in the economic analysis. RESULTS Ninety-six eligible trials were identified. For one-off interventions, 86% reported the number of participants initiating treatment. For recurring interventions, 56% and 73%, respectively, reported the number initiating and completing treatment, whereas 66% reported treatment intensity. Most studies (23 of 31 [74%] trials and 42 of 53 [79%] trials of one-off and recurring interventions, respectively) reported strict intention-to-treat or complete case analyses. A minority (3 of 31 [10%] and 7 of 53 [13%], respectively), however, performed a per-protocol analysis. No studies used statistical methods to adjust for nonadherence directly in the economic evaluation. Only 13 studies described patient-level allocation of intervention costs; there was variation in how fixed costs were assigned according to adherence. CONCLUSIONS Most of the trials reported a measure of adherence, but reporting was not comprehensive. A nontrivial proportion of studies report a primary per-protocol analysis that potentially produces biased results. Alongside primary intention-to-treat analysis, statistical methods for obtaining an unbiased estimate of cost-effectiveness in adherers should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel L Brilleman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tim J Peters
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Contatore OA, Barros NFD, Durval MR, Barrio PCCDC, Coutinho BD, Santos JA, Nascimento JLD, Oliveira SDL, Peres SMDP. Uso, cuidado e política das práticas integrativas e complementares na Atenção Primária à Saúde. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2015; 20:3263-73. [DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320152010.00312015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ResumoO uso das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) é crescente e sua institucionalização na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) um desafio. Este artigo discute o uso, o cuidado e as políticas das PIC na esfera internacional e nacional, por meio da literatura indexada. Foi realizada revisão da literatura no PubMed/Medline e na Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde com os unitermos "Homeopatia", "Acupuntura", "Fitoterapia", "Práticas Corporais", "Atenção Primária à Saúde" e correlatos, nas línguas inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa, entre 2002 e 2011. Observou-se na literatura avaliações do uso das PIC para o tratamento de patologias específicas, com perspectiva biomédica; avaliações do seu uso para o tratamento de patologias específicas, porém focadas nos sentidos atribuídos pelos usuários e profissionais; análise da viabilidade política, econômica e social das PIC nos serviços de saúde. Conclui-se que predomina na literatura a busca pela validação científica das PIC e um viés metodológico biomédico no desenho dos estudos, o qual não contribui para esclarecer o potencial de cuidado das PIC na APS.
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Liu WH, Hao Y, Han YJ, Wang XH, Li C, Liu WN. Analysis and Thoughts about the Negative Results of International Clinical Trials on Acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2015; 2015:671242. [PMID: 26161126 PMCID: PMC4487698 DOI: 10.1155/2015/671242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture have proved the clinical benefits of acupuncture; however, there are some results that have shown negative results or placebo effects. The paper carried out an in-depth analysis on 33 RCTs in the 2011 SCI database, the quality of the reports was judged according to Jadad scores, and the "Necessary Information Included in Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA 2010)" was taken as the standard to analyze the rationality of the therapeutic principle. The difference between the methodology (Jadad) scores of the two types of research reports did not constitute statistical significance (P > 0.05). The studies with negative results or placebo effects showed the following deficiencies with respect to intervention details: (1) incompletely rational acupoint selection; (2) inconsistent ability of acupuncturists; (3) negligible needling response to needling; (4) acupuncture treatment frequency too low in most studies; and (5) irrational setting of placebo control. Thus, the primary basis for the negative results or placebo effects of international clinical trials on acupuncture is not in the quality of the methodology, but in noncompliance with the essential requirements proposed by acupuncture theory in terms of clinical manipulation details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-hong Liu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yang Hao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yan-jing Han
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiao-hong Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chen Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Wan-ning Liu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Mata J, Cabrera S, Sanchís P, Valentí P, Hernández P, Fortuny R, Lirola S, Aguilar JL. Electro-acupuncture for treatment of knee pain from osteoarthritis and the possible endocrinology changes: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2015; 16:248. [PMID: 26037626 PMCID: PMC4462085 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-0766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of disability among adults. Electro-acupuncture is considered a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on pain control, pain perception, plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels, patient-perceived quality of life, and pain medication use in patients with chronic knee pain. Methods/design This study is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel design trial. One hundred sixty out-patients who are more than 50 years old and who have osteoarthritis of the knee will be recruited from the island of Mallorca, Spain. Each participant will be randomly placed into one of two groups: (sham) electro-acupuncture non-insertion technique and real electro-acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments will be the Traditional Chinese Medicine type. The patients will be evaluated after a period of 1 month (with two weekly sessions), 3 months (with one monthly session), 6 months (with one session every 45 days), and 1 year later with follow-up sessions at the end of the study (with one session every 2 months). The primary outcomes will be based on the observed changes from the baseline of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain measured at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Also to be included in the study are the possible changes in the secondary efficacy variables from baseline as assessed by the Short Form 36 version 2 health survey (patient-perceived quality of life), patient plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels at the different treatment stages, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, pain medication use, functional capacity and stiffness (WOMAC subscales), and a VAS. These variables will be assessed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after study commencement. Discussion The findings from this study will help to determine whether electro-acupuncture is effective for chronic knee pain management in older people and whether electro-acupuncture can deliver results for the improvement of pain relief, stiffness, and disability. The study will therefore be a major step toward understanding the roles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the endogenous opioid system in the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for chronic pain. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02299713 (11 Nov. 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Mata
- Anaesthesiology and Clinic Pain Department, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Sandra Cabrera
- Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias I Pujol Hospital, Ctra. Del Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Spain.
| | - Pilar Sanchís
- Research Unit, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Pedro Valentí
- Anaesthesiology and Clinic Pain Department, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Patricia Hernández
- Anaesthesiology and Clinic Pain Department, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Regina Fortuny
- Clinical and Haematology Analysis Laboratory, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Serafin Lirola
- Traumatology Department, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Aguilar
- Anaesthesiology and Clinic Pain Department, Son Llàtzer Hospital, Ctra. de Manacor kilómetro 4, 07198, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer AR, Van der Esch M, Simic M, Bennell KL. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 1:CD004376. [PMID: 25569281 PMCID: PMC10094004 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004376.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health issue because it causes chronic pain, reduces physical function and diminishes quality of life. Ageing of the population and increased global prevalence of obesity are anticipated to dramatically increase the prevalence of knee OA and its associated impairments. No cure for knee OA is known, but exercise therapy is among the dominant non-pharmacological interventions recommended by international guidelines. OBJECTIVES To determine whether land-based therapeutic exercise is beneficial for people with knee OA in terms of reduced joint pain or improved physical function and quality of life. SEARCH METHODS Five electronic databases were searched, up until May 2013. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) randomly assigning individuals and comparing groups treated with some form of land-based therapeutic exercise (as opposed to exercise conducted in the water) with a non-exercise group or a non-treatment control group. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three teams of two review authors independently extracted data, assessed risk of bias for each study and assessed the quality of the body of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. We conducted analyses on continuous outcomes (pain, physical function and quality of life) immediately after treatment and on dichotomous outcomes (proportion of study withdrawals) at the end of the study; we also conducted analyses on the sustained effects of exercise on pain and function (two to six months, and longer than six months). MAIN RESULTS In total, we extracted data from 54 studies. Overall, 19 (20%) studies reported adequate random sequence generation and allocation concealment and adequately accounted for incomplete outcome data; we considered these studies to have an overall low risk of bias. Studies were largely free from selection bias, but research results may be vulnerable to performance and detection bias, as only four of the RCTs reported blinding of participants to treatment allocation, and, although most RCTs reported blinded outcome assessment, pain, physical function and quality of life were participant self-reported.High-quality evidence from 44 trials (3537 participants) indicates that exercise reduced pain (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.39 to -0.59) immediately after treatment. Pain was estimated at 44 points on a 0 to 100-point scale (0 indicated no pain) in the control group; exercise reduced pain by an equivalent of 12 points (95% CI 10 to 15 points). Moderate-quality evidence from 44 trials (3913 participants) showed that exercise improved physical function (SMD -0.52, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.64) immediately after treatment. Physical function was estimated at 38 points on a 0 to 100-point scale (0 indicated no loss of physical function) in the control group; exercise improved physical function by an equivalent of 10 points (95% CI 8 to 13 points). High-quality evidence from 13 studies (1073 participants) revealed that exercise improved quality of life (SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.40) immediately after treatment. Quality of life was estimated at 43 points on a 0 to 100-point scale (100 indicated best quality of life) in the control group; exercise improved quality of life by an equivalent of 4 points (95% CI 2 to 5 points).High-quality evidence from 45 studies (4607 participants) showed a comparable likelihood of withdrawal from exercise allocation (event rate 14%) compared with the control group (event rate 15%), and this difference was not significant: odds ratio (OR) 0.93 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.15). Eight studies reported adverse events, all of which were related to increased knee or low back pain attributed to the exercise intervention provided. No study reported a serious adverse event.In addition, 12 included studies provided two to six-month post-treatment sustainability data on 1468 participants for knee pain and on 1279 (10 studies) participants for physical function. These studies indicated sustainability of treatment effect for pain (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.14), with an equivalent reduction of 6 (3 to 9) points on 0 to 100-point scale, and of physical function (SMD -0.15 95% CI -0.26 to -0.04), with an equivalent improvement of 3 (1 to 5) points on 0 to 100-point scale.Marked variability was noted across included studies among participants recruited, symptom duration, exercise interventions assessed and important aspects of study methodology. Individually delivered programmes tended to result in greater reductions in pain and improvements in physical function, compared to class-based exercise programmes or home-based programmes; however between-study heterogeneity was marked within the individually provided treatment delivery subgroup. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS High-quality evidence indicates that land-based therapeutic exercise provides short-term benefit that is sustained for at least two to six months after cessation of formal treatment in terms of reduced knee pain, and moderate-quality evidence shows improvement in physical function among people with knee OA. The magnitude of the treatment effect would be considered moderate (immediate) to small (two to six months) but comparable with estimates reported for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Confidence intervals around demonstrated pooled results for pain reduction and improvement in physical function do not exclude a minimal clinically important treatment effect. Since the participants in most trials were aware of their treatment, this may have contributed to their improvement. Despite the lack of blinding we did not downgrade the quality of evidence for risk of performance or detection bias. This reflects our belief that further research in this area is unlikely to change the findings of our review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Fransen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Room 0212, Cumberland Campus C42, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1825
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Berman B, Lewith G, Manheimer E, Bishop FL, D'Adamo C. Complementary and alternative medicine. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-09138-1.00048-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Highfield ES, Longacre M, Sager A, Grodin MA. A preliminary comparison of primary care use by refugees before and after acupuncture. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 11:289-95. [PMID: 25332298 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2014-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited research exits on utilization and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture among underserved communities, and virtually no evidence has been published with respect to refugee populations. In this study, we examined the relationship between acupuncture and the total utilization of primary care services in a cohort of refugee patients with chronic pain. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 16 refugee patients with chronic pain at Boston Medical Center (BMC). The research was IRB-approved. Demographics and total charges associated with primary care over 18 months were collected. RESULTS Total charges associated with primary care services decreased by 50.2% in our refugee cohort in the 12 months following acupuncture treatment, equivalent to a savings of $691 per patient per month. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary review demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total charges associated with primary care following acupuncture treatment (p=0.0308). This study suggests the need for further investigation of the relation between acupuncture and refugees with chronic pain, as well as the financial implications of this relationship. It is unclear why refugees may seek fewer primary care services after acupuncture treatment. Additional study is needed to further explore whether this relationship is generalizable to other hospital services and to other patient populations.
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Dunning J, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, Flannagan S, Perreault T. Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. PHYSICAL THERAPY REVIEWS 2014; 19:252-265. [PMID: 25143704 PMCID: PMC4117383 DOI: 10.1179/108331913x13844245102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wet needling uses hollow-bore needles to deliver corticosteroids, anesthetics, sclerosants, botulinum toxins, or other agents. In contrast, dry needling requires the insertion of thin monofilament needles, as used in the practice of acupuncture, without the use of injectate into muscles, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous fascia, and scar tissue. Dry needles may also be inserted in the vicinity of peripheral nerves and/or neurovascular bundles in order to manage a variety of neuromusculoskeletal pain syndromes. Nevertheless, some position statements by several US State Boards of Physical Therapy have narrowly defined dry needling as an 'intramuscular' procedure involving the isolated treatment of 'myofascial trigger points' (MTrPs). OBJECTIVES To operationalize an appropriate definition for dry needling based on the existing literature and to further investigate the optimal frequency, duration, and intensity of dry needling for both spinal and extremity neuromusculoskeletal conditions. MAJOR FINDINGS According to recent findings in the literature, the needle tip touches, taps, or pricks tiny nerve endings or neural tissue (i.e. 'sensitive loci' or 'nociceptors') when it is inserted into a MTrP. To date, there is a paucity of high-quality evidence to underpin the use of direct dry needling into MTrPs for the purpose of short and long-term pain and disability reduction in patients with musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Furthermore, there is a lack of robust evidence validating the clinical diagnostic criteria for trigger point identification or diagnosis. High-quality studies have also demonstrated that manual examination for the identification and localization of a trigger point is neither valid nor reliable between-examiners. CONCLUSIONS Several studies have demonstrated immediate or short-term improvements in pain and/or disability by targeting trigger points (TrPs) using in-and-out techniques such as 'pistoning' or 'sparrow pecking'; however, to date, no high-quality, long-term trials supporting in-and-out needling techniques at exclusively muscular TrPs exist, and the practice should therefore be questioned. The insertion of dry needles into asymptomatic body areas proximal and/or distal to the primary source of pain is supported by the myofascial pain syndrome literature. Physical therapists should not ignore the findings of the Western or biomedical 'acupuncture' literature that have used the very same 'dry needles' to treat patients with a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions in numerous, large scale randomized controlled trials. Although the optimal frequency, duration, and intensity of dry needling has yet to be determined for many neuromusculoskeletal conditions, the vast majority of dry needling randomized controlled trials have manually stimulated the needles and left them in situ for between 10 and 30 minute durations. Position statements and clinical practice guidelines for dry needling should be based on the best available literature, not a single paradigm or school of thought; therefore, physical therapy associations and state boards of physical therapy should consider broadening the definition of dry needling to encompass the stimulation of neural, muscular, and connective tissues, not just 'TrPs'.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Dunning
- Alabama Physical Therapy & Acupuncture, Montgomery, AL, USA
- American Academy of Manipulative Therapy, Montgomery, AL, USA
| | - Raymond Butts
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Palmetto Health Research Physical Therapy Specialists, Columbia, SC, USA
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White A, Foell J. Acupuncture is superior to sham for painful conditions. EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE 2013; 18:e56. [PMID: 23635845 DOI: 10.1136/eb-2013-101303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian White
- Primary Care, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and, Dentistry, Plymouth University, , Plymouth, UK
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Forster M, Pertile P. Optimal decision rules for HTA under uncertainty: a wider, dynamic perspective. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2013; 22:1507-1514. [PMID: 23225192 DOI: 10.1002/hec.2893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We present a two-period framework, which combines real option and decision-theoretic approaches to health technology assessment under uncertainty. By viewing adoption, treatment and research decisions as a single economic project, we illustrate how their key dimensions affect optimal rules. We consider the results in relation to the existing literature and argue that developments in this direction could contribute substantially to efficiency gains in resource allocation.
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Sampson CJ, Whitehurst DGT, Street A. Do patients registered with CAM-trained GPs really use fewer health care resources and live longer? A response to Kooreman and Baars. Eur J Health Econ (2012). 13:469-776. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2013; 14:703-705. [PMID: 23494525 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-013-0466-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
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Whitehurst DG, Latimer NR. Clinical Evaluation, Economic Evaluation, and the Role of the Control Group. Med Acupunct 2013. [DOI: 10.1089/acu.2012.0930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David G.T. Whitehurst
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicholas R. Latimer
- Health Economics and Decision Science, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Kim SY, Lee H, Chae Y, Park HJ, Lee H. A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Analyses Alongside Randomised Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. Acupunct Med 2012; 30:273-85. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2012-010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Objective To summarise the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture. Methods We identified full economic evaluations such as cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost-utility analysis (CUA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the consequences and costs of acupuncture for any medical condition. Eleven electronic databases were searched up to March 2011 without language restrictions. Eligible RCTs were assessed using the Cochrane criteria for risk of bias and a modified version of the checklist for economic evaluation. The general characteristics and the results of each economic analysis such as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were extracted. Results Of 17 included studies, nine were CUAs that measured quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and eight were CEAs that assessed effectiveness of acupuncture based on improvements in clinical symptoms. All CUAs showed that acupuncture with or without usual care was cost-effective compared with waiting list control or usual care alone, with ICERs ranging from ¢3011/QALY (dysmenorrhoea) to ¢22 298/QALY (allergic rhinitis) in German studies, and from £3855/QALY (osteoarthritis) to £9951/QALY (headache) in UK studies. In the CEAs, acupuncture was beneficial at a relatively low cost in six European and Asian studies. All CUAs were well-designed with a low risk of bias, but this was not the case for CEAs. Conclusions Overall, this review demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture. Despite such promising results, any generalisation of these results needs to be made with caution given the diversity of diseases and the different status of acupuncture in the various countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yi Kim
- STAR (Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research), Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center (AMSRC), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyangsook Lee
- STAR (Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research), Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center (AMSRC), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- STAR (Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research), Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center (AMSRC), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Meridian and Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- STAR (Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research), Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center (AMSRC), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Meridian and Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Carolina Asia Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hyejung Lee
- STAR (Studies of Translational Acupuncture Research), Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center (AMSRC), College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Meridian and Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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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] [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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Latimer NR, Bhanu AC, Whitehurst DGT. Inconsistencies in Nice Guidance for Acupuncture: Reanalysis and Discussion. Acupunct Med 2012; 30:182-6. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2012-010152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Acupuncture received a positive recommendation in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline for low back pain (LBP). However, no such recommendation was forthcoming in the NICE clinical guideline for osteoarthritis (OA). Importantly, the two guidelines adopted different treatment comparators in their economic analyses of acupuncture; in the LBP guideline ‘usual care’ was used (with no consideration of placebo/sham interventions), whereas ‘sham acupuncture’ was the comparator in the OA guideline. Objective To analyse the implications of using different control group comparators when estimating the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture therapy. Methods The NICE OA economic analysis for acupuncture was replicated using ‘usual care’ (ie, no placebo/sham component) as the treatment comparator. A ‘transfer-to-utility’ technique was used to transform Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis scores into EQ-5D utility scores to allow quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains to be estimated. QALY estimates were combined with direct incremental cost estimates of acupuncture treatment to determine incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Results When ‘usual care’ was used as the treatment comparator, ICER point estimates were below £20 000 per QALY gained for each acupuncture trial analysed in the OA clinical guideline. In the original analysis, using placebo/sham acupuncture as the treatment comparator, ICERs were generally above £20 000 per QALY gained. Conclusion The treatment comparator chosen in economic evaluations of acupuncture therapy is likely to be a strong determinant of the cost-effectiveness results. Different comparators used in the OA and LBP NICE guidelines may have led to the divergent recommendations in the guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Latimer
- Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - David G T Whitehurst
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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Jang H, Lee H. Meta-analysis of pain relief effects by laser irradiation on joint areas. Photomed Laser Surg 2012; 30:405-17. [PMID: 22747309 DOI: 10.1089/pho.2012.3240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laser therapy has been proposed as a physical therapy for musculoskeletal disorders and has attained popularity because no side effects have been reported after treatment. However, its true effectiveness is still controversial because several clinical trials have reported the ineffectiveness of lasers in treating pain. METHODS In this systematic review, we investigate the clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on joint pain. Clinical trials on joint pain satisfying the following conditions are included: the laser is irradiated on the joint area, the PEDro scale score is at least 5, and the effectiveness of the trial is measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). To estimate the overall effectiveness of all included clinical trials, a mean weighted difference in change of pain on VAS was used. RESULTS MEDLINE is the main source of the literature search. After the literature search, 22 trials related to joint pain were selected. The average methodological quality score of the 22 trials consisting of 1014 patients was 7.96 on the PEDro scale; 11 trials reported positive effects and 11 trials reported negative effects. The mean weighted difference in change of pain on VAS was 13.96 mm (95% CI, 7.24-20.69) in favor of the active LLLT groups. When we only considered the clinical trials in which the energy dose was within the dose range suggested in the review by Bjordal et al. in 2003 and in World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) dose recommendation, the mean effect sizes were 19.88 and 21.05 mm in favor of the true LLLT groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The review shows that laser therapy on the joint reduces pain in patients. Moreover, when we restrict the energy doses of the laser therapy into the dose window suggested in the previous study, we can expect more reliable pain relief treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Jang
- Department of Information and Communications, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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