HTA of acupuncture for pregnant people
There is an increasing usage of alternative treatment among the Danish population. For one thing, acupuncture is being offered as a treatment in the health sector for specific disorders. This is despite the fact that the evidence behind acupuncture is undetermined in more than one area.
PROJECT PERIOD
Start: 2001
End: December 2015
Within the field of obstetrics, acupuncture has found its place where it is either used as a replacement or a supplement for treatment of some pregnancy discomforts.
AIM
The aim of this assessment was to qualify the current clinical guidelines and instructions for acupuncture treatment of pregnant people at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Odense University Hospital, with a focus on the pregnancy discomforts nausea and vomiting (emesis/hyperemesis), pelvis-related pain as well as depression/anxiety. Furthermore, the project was to assess acupuncture as a comprehensive offer of treatment seen from a patient, organisational and economical perspective.
RESULTS
Based on the report’s results, it was recommended that the hospital’s birthing sections as a minimum offers acupuncture treatment for the group of pregnant people with pregnancy-related nausea (emesis/hyperemesis). Furthermore, it was evident from the assessment that the offer of acupuncture for pregnant people results in a relatively low cost.
Kristian Kidholm
Professor, Head of Research
Centre for Innovative Medical Technology (CIMT). Odense University Hospital, Dept. of Clinical Development - Innovation, Research & HTA
(+45) 6541 7960 kristian.kidholm@rsyd.dk