ArticleFrontiers in public health2024
Economic evaluation of acupuncture in treating patients with pain and mental health concerns: the results of the Alberta Complementary Health Integration Project.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness and safety of auricular therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Pooled it
- Clinical evidence on integrated Chinese-Western medicine for depressive disorder.Integrative medicine research · 2026Article
- Cost-utility analysis of traditional Korean medicine without acupuncture claims versus integrative care for menopausal disorders: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.Integrative medicine research · 2026Article
- Complementary Therapies for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Among Patients in Asia: Scoping Review.Asian/Pacific Island nursing journal · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact have heightened the risk of mental health and pain-related issues. The integration of acupuncture with conventional medicine shows promise in improving treatment outcomes for these conditions. The Alberta Complementary Health Integration Project (ABCHIP) aimed to provide acupuncture to youth (aged 24 and under) and seniors (aged 55 and above) experiencing chronic pain, pain management issues, mental health issues, and/or related conditions. The program aimed to promote integrative care, assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these therapies, and deliver patient-centered care. Design: ABCHIP provided acupuncture to address pain, mental health, and addiction issues at no cost to two vulnerable populations in Alberta: youth and the older adult. A total of 606 patients aged 14-65 received 5,424 acupuncture treatments. Outcome measures included pain interference, pain severity, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, fatigue, anger, and quality of life. Short-term outcomes were assessed through questionnaires completed at the beginning and completion of the treatments, while long-term benefits were estimated using these outcome indicators and existing literature on the economic cost of illnesses. Result: The cost-effectiveness analysis revealed the following ratios per Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY): CND12,171 for the overall sample, CND10,766 for patients with pain, CND9,331 for individuals with depression, and CND9,030 for those with anxiety. The cost-benefit analysis demonstrated annual cost savings ranging from CND1,487 to CND5,255, with an average of CND3,371. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that ABCHIP's treatment for pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep issues is cost-effective, leading to substantial cost savings and improved quality of life for patients. The program's cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) is significantly lower than benchmarks used in other countries, demonstrating high cost-effectiveness and value. Patients receiving 12 treatments experienced significant improvements across all measures, with estimated economic benefits surpassing treatment costs. In summary, ABCHIP offers a cost-effective and economically efficient therapy choice for individuals dealing with pain and mental health issues.
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