JAM掲載論文検索
Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Online)
JAM 2025;Vol.19:1-9
Cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for tension-type headaches in Japan :a multicenter, prospective, single-arm clinical trial
KONDO Hiroshi 1), TERASAWA Tomohiro 2), TANAKA Chisato 2)
1）Department of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, The National University Corporation of Tsukuba University
of Technology
2） Academic Department, General Incorporated Association National Acupuncture and Moxibustion Massage
Association
Abstract
[Background] Acupuncture is being increasingly used for treating patients with Tension-type headache (TTH); however, there remains a lack of evidence regarding its cost-effectiveness. The objective of this study is to clarify the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for TTH.
[Patients and Methods] The study was designed as a multicenter, single-arm clinical trial. Nineteen acupuncture clinics participated in this study. Patients with TTH received acupuncture for 3 months, in addition to the usual treatment. Acupuncture was conducted according to a predetermined method. The average number of acupuncture sessions was 12.2 ± 4.5. The study enrolled 45 participants and the final analysis included 37 participants aged 47.7 ± 12.6 years, of which 2 were men and 35 women.
We measured patients' health-related quality of life, cost for headache, and intensity and frequency of headache at baseline and 3 months later to assess cost effectiveness.
[Results] The median ICER was JPY 484 [-13404, 2003] (USD 5 [-129, 19]). The mean ICER (95% CI) was JPY-3890 [-10525, 2744] (USD -37 [-101, 26]). The ICER per QALY gained from adding acupuncture to standard treatment would be within reasonable the range of the amounts that Japanese residents would be willing to pay per QALY.
[Conclusion] We demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of utilizing acupuncture for treating TTH in terms of ICER.