Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of medical yoga as an early
intervention compared with evidence-based exercise therapy and self-care advice
for non-specific low back pain. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with a
cost-effectiveness analysis. SUBJECTS: A total of 159 participants randomized
into the medical yoga group (n = 52), the exercise therapy group (n = 52) and the
self-care advice group (n = 55). METHODS: The health outcome measure EQ-5D was
applied to measure quality of life data combined with cost data collected from
treatment groups from baseline to 12 months follow-up. Outcome measure was
health-related quality of life (HRQL). Incremental cost per quality adjusted life
year (QALY) was also calculated. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted
primarily from the societal and employer perspectives. RESULTS: Medical yoga is
cost-effective compared with self-care advice if an employer considers the
significant improvement in the HRQL of an employee with low back pain justifies
the additional cost of treatment (i.e. in this study EUR 150). From a societal
perspective, medical yoga is a cost-effective treatment compared with exercise
therapy and self-care advice if an additional QALY is worth
EUR 11,500.
Sensitivity analysis suggests that medical yoga is more cost-effective than its alternatives. CONCLUSION: Six weeks of uninterrupted medical yoga thera-py is a
cost-effective early intervention for non-specific low back pain, when treatment
recommendations are adhered to.

Langue : ANGLAIS