Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 05
To compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Breech Version by Acumoxa (BVA) with standard care (SC) in correcting breech presentation.
A decision model was developed to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of BVA to SC for women with foetus in breech position at 33 weeks’ gestation. Associated events, treatment compliance and costs were included. Costs were expressed in 2006 euros and the analysis was performed from the healthcare perspective. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed.
The percentage breech presentations at term, the percentage Caesarean sections and total healthcare costs from 33 weeks gestation to after delivery were calculated.
At term, the percentage of breech presentations after BVA was 24.5% (95% CI 17.1; 31.9) vs. 42.0% (95% CI 32.2; 52.0) after SC. The percentage of Caesarean sections was significantly lower in the BVA group compared to the SC group (27.0 vs. 42.0%). The mean total costs were €2.949 for BVA vs. €3.661 for SC. Sensitivity analysis showed that if 10% or more of the women underwent BVA this strategy was more effective and less costly than SC. To prevent one Caesarean section, seven women with foetus in breech presentation at 33 weeks’ gestation have to be treated with BVA.
Our results suggest that for correction of breech presentation at 33 weeks gestation, implementing a BVA strategy reduces the number of breech presentations at term and the number of Caesarean sections, and is less costly compared to standard care.
This study was, in part, supported by the Dutch Association for Acupuncture.
