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Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine Work!
Cost
Effectiveness of Acupuncture
Acupuncture Treatment
Results in Avoidance of Surgery
29 Patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee, each awaiting arthroplasty
surgery, were randomized to receive a course of acupuncture treatment
or be placed on a waiting list to receive similar acupuncture treatment
starting 9 weeks later. Of the 29 patients, 7 were able to cancel their
scheduled surgeries.
Cost savings: $9000 per patient.
Christensen BV et al (1992) "Acupuncture treatment of severe knee
osteoarthrosis: a long-term study", Acta Anethesiol Scand 36:519-525.
Acupuncture Treatment
Results in Decreased Days In Hospital Or Nursing Home
Half of 78 stroke patients receiving standard rehabilitative care were
randomly chosen to receive adjunctive acupuncture treatment. Patients
given acupuncture recovered faster and to a greater extent, spending 88
days/patient in hospital and nursing homes compared to 161 days/patient
for standard care alone.
Cost savings: $26,000 per patient.
Johansson K et al (1994), "Can sensory stimulation improve the functional
outcome in stroke patients?" Neurology 43:2189-2192.
Acupuncture Treatment
Allows Low-Back Pain Patients To Return To Physical Labor
56 patients at a workers' compensation clinic were randomized to receive
either physical therapy/occupational therapy/exercise or the standard
care plus acupuncture. Of the 29 treated with acupuncture, 18 returned
to their original or equivalent jobs and 10 returned to lighter employment.
Of the 27 who received only standard therapy, 4 returned to original or
equivalent jobs and 14 to lighter employment.
Gunn CC et al (1980), "Dry needling of muscle motor points for chronic
low-back pain", Spine 5:279-291.
Acupuncture Treatment
Results in Avoidance of Surgery, Fewer Hospital Visits And Greater Return
to Employment
69 patients with severe angina pectoris received 12 acupuncture treatments
in 4 weeks. Patients were also instructed to perform shiatsu 2 times a
day and received counseling in stress reduction, exercise and diet. Of
the 49 patients who were candidates for coronary bypass or balloon angioplasty
surgery, 30 had surgery postponed by the 2-year follow-up due to clinical
improvement.
Cost savings: $13,000 per patient. Decrease in number of in-hospital days
for all 69 patients: 79% first year post-treatment, 95% 2nd year post-treatment.
Reduction in number of out-patient visits:60% and 87% respectively. Estimated
additional cost savings from increase in percent of patients able to work:
11% prior to treatment; 60% at 2 years post-treatment. Estimated savings
in annual sick-pay: $18,000/patient.
Ballegaard S et al (1996) "Cost-benefit of combined use of acupuncture,
shiatsu and lifestyle adjustment for treatment of patients with severe
angina pectoris", Acupunct Electro-Ther Res 21:187-197.
Summarized by Richard
Hammerschlag, Ph.D. For more detailed summaries see Acupuncture Efficacy:
A compendium of controlled clinical trials by Stephen Birch and Richard
Hammerschlag, NAAOM, 1996.
BACK
TO TOPICS
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VOLUSIA
CENTER for COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Debra Pardee Gaffney, A.P., Ph.D., DCN, C.C.P.A.
339 E.
New York Avenue
DeLand, FL 32724
(386) 734-4126
FAX 386-736-7556
www.acudebra.com |
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