Economic evaluation of acupuncture in treating patients with pain and mental health concerns: the results of the Alberta Complementary Health Integration Project

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.

Keywords: acupuncture; economic evaluation; integrative medicine; mental health; pain.