Is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) cost-effective? a systematic review

摘要: Out-of-pocket expenditures of over $34 billion per year in the US are an apparent testament to a widely held belief that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have benefits outweigh their costs. However, regardless public opinion, there is often little more than anecdotal evidence on health economic implications CAM therapies. The objectives this study present overview evaluation expand upon previous review examine current scope quality evaluations. data sources used were Medline, AMED, Alt-HealthWatch, Complementary Alternative Medicine Citation Index; January 1999 October 2004. Papers reported original specific from any form standard analysis included. Full evaluations subjected two types review. first was 35-item checklist for reporting quality, second set four criteria (randomization, prospective collection data, comparison usual care, no blinding). A total 56 (39 full evaluations) found covering range applied variety conditions. poor certain items, but comparable by systematic reviews conventional medicine. Regarding 14 (36%) studies meet all criteria. These exemplary indicate may be considered cost-effective compared care various conditions: acupuncture migraine, manual therapy neck pain, spa Parkinson's, self-administered stress management cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, pre- post-operative oral nutritional supplementation lower gastrointestinal tract surgery, biofeedback with "functional" disorders (eg, irritable bowel syndrome), guided imagery, relaxation therapy, potassium-rich diet cardiac patients. Whereas number increased recent years been shown good value, majority still remain evaluated.