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Open Access 01-07-2011 | Health Technology Assessment & Transfer

Cost-effectiveness of guideline-endorsed treatments for low back pain: a systematic review

Authors: Chung-Wei Christine Lin, Marion Haas, Chris G. Maher, Luciana A. C. Machado, Maurits W. van Tulder

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 7/2011

Abstract

Healthcare costs for low back pain (LBP) are increasing rapidly. Hence, it is important to provide treatments that are effective and cost-effective. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of guideline-endorsed treatments for LBP. We searched nine clinical and economic electronic databases and the reference list of relevant systematic reviews and included studies for eligible studies. Economic evaluations conducted alongside randomised controlled trials investigating treatments for LBP endorsed by the guideline of the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society were included. Two independent reviewers screened search results and extracted data. Data extracted included the type and perspective of the economic evaluation, the treatment comparators, and the relative cost-effectiveness of the treatment comparators. Twenty-six studies were included. Most studies found that interdisciplinary rehabilitation, exercise, acupuncture, spinal manipulation or cognitive-behavioural therapy were cost-effective in people with sub-acute or chronic LBP. Massage alone was unlikely to be cost-effective. There were inconsistent results on the cost-effectiveness of advice, insufficient evidence on spinal manipulation for people with acute LBP, and no evidence on the cost-effectiveness of medications, yoga or relaxation. This review found evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness of the guideline-endorsed treatments of interdisciplinary rehabilitation, exercise, acupuncture, spinal manipulation and cognitive-behavioural therapy for sub-acute or chronic LBP. There is little or inconsistent evidence for other treatments endorsed in the guideline.

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Title: Cost-effectiveness of guideline-endorsed treatments for low back pain: a systematic review
Authors: Chung-Wei Christine Lin
Marion Haas
Chris G. Maher
Luciana A. C. Machado
Maurits W. van Tulder
Publication date: 01-07-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 7/2011
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1676-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Cost-effectiveness of guideline-endorsed treatments for low back pain: a systematic review

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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