Cost-Effectiveness of Alexander Technique for Chronic Back Pain
Hollinghurst S, Sharp D, Ballard K, et al. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain: economic evaluation. BMJ. 2008 Dec 11;337. PMID: 19074232
Researchers at the University of Bristol led this economic evaluation of therapeutic massage, exercise, and lessons in the Alexander technique for treating persistent back pain. They found that six lessons in the Alexander technique combined with an exercise prescription was the most cost-effective option for patients in Britain’s National Health Service. From the discussion:
"Our associated clinical paper showed that an exercise prescription alone had only a moderate effect on disability scores and that massage was unlikely to provide a sustained improvement, whereas lessons in the Alexander technique were effective in the longer term over a range of outcomes. Considering the level of uncertainty around the effectiveness of normal care plus exercise, and taking account of all evidence, we conclude that a series of six lessons in Alexander technique combined with an exercise prescription seems the most effective and cost effective option for the treatment of back pain in primary care."
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