Source 1: Ratcliffe, J.

A Randomized controlled trial of acupuncture care for persistent low back pain: Cost Effectiveness Analysis 21 September 2006. PDF File.
<http://www.bmj.com/content/333/7569/626>
Source 2: Witt, Claude et al. Pragmatic Randomization Trial Evaluating the Clinical and Economic Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain American
Journal of Epidemiology 23 June, 2006. PDF File.
Source 3: Using Opioids to Treat: Chronic Pain Comparing Effectiveness, Safety, and Price theconsumerreports.org PDF File. <http://consumerhealthchoices.org/wpcontent/uploads/2012/08/BBD-Opioids-Full.pdf>
Source 4: Ballantyne, Jane What is The Evidence For The Effectiveness of Opioid Analgesics For Chronic Pain From Clinical and Administrative Data fda.gov PDF File.
<http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM307844.pdf>

Acupuncture vs. Opiate Study Analysis

Opioid and
Acupuncture Study
Comparisons

Random Control
TrialsAcupuncture Cost
Effectiveness (1)

Random Control
Trials Acupuncture
Clinic/Cost
Effectiveness (2)

Using Opioids to
treat: Chronic pain,
Comparing Eff.
Safety, Price(3)

What is the evidence for

the effectiveness of opioid
analgesics for chronic pain
from clinical and
administrative data. (4)

Location of Pain
Being Treated/
Currency

York, England

Munich, Germany

United States

United States

Pounds

Euros ()

USD ($)

USD ($)

Conclusion of Study

Physical:
Patients' quality of
life improved over
six month period and
12 month period

Physical:
Patients' function
improved over three to
six months

Physical:
The best choice is a
long-acting opiate,
risks with the risks
associated with
physical function and
addiction

Physical:
Less improvement and
efficacy with higher
dosage

Mental:
Patients' quality of
life improved

Mental:
SF-36 Score:
Acupuncture
improvement (.544)
and (.574)

Mental:
Not recommended to
cure mental issues.
Worsens with
addiction, adds stress
and possibly
aggression

Mental:
>105 mg
40-105 mg
<20 mg
All show negative
effects to Quality of
Life

Kind of
Acupuncture/Opioid

Regular
Acupuncture

No Acupuncture or
Regular Treatments

Acetaminophone,
Oxycotin,
Hydrocodone,
Methadone, Fentanyl,
Etc.
Chronic

Not shown in analysis

Type Of Pain
Addressed
(Chronic/Acute)

Chronic Low Back

Pain

Chronic Low Back

Pain

Number Of Patients
Location Of Study
And Treatment
Time of trials

241 Adults

11,630 Total patients

Not applicable

Not applicable

York, England

University in Germany United States

United States

4-52 Weeks

3-Mon Randomized;
12-Mon Non Random

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

Ages of treated
clients

18-65

Mean Age: 52.9 Yrs.

Standard
Deviation:13.7 Yrs.

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

Administration

Randomized
Acupuncture
41% (4,769)

Orally or Patched

Male participants

Randomized or
Regular
110

Female Participants

131

59% (6,861)

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)
N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)
N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)
N/A (Varies
throughout analysis)

Adverse Effects

Hematoma
Bruising
Sorness

Hematoma
Bruising
Sorness

Effects on immune syst.

Agitation
Constipation
Decreased Testosterone
Depression
Dizziness
Drowsiness, Sedation
Itching
Pain Sensitivity
Memory impairment
Slowed breathing
Nausea

Effects on immune syst.

Agitation
Constipation
Decreased Testosterone
Depression
Dizziness
Drowsiness, Sedation
Itching
Pain Sensitivity
Memory impairment
Slowed breathing
Nausea (Some not all)

Chronic and Acute

Pain

Quality of Life
score (QALY)

At 12 Months:
(-0.033 to 0.058)
0.012 QALY

SF-6D Scoring

At 24 Months:
(-0.056 to 0.110)
0.027 QALY
12 Mon: 0.06
24 Mon: 0.03

Average Costs for

treatments

Non-Study NHS
Acupuncture: 24.00
Pounds
Private: 24.00
Pounds

Not Applicable

Total 10.4, Standard

Deviation: 3.0, p=0.40
Physical Acup: .4583
Phy Random:0.002
Mental: Acup:0.544
Random: 0.574
Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Hydrocodone at 1/day
8mg: $1.45/mg
16mg: $1.54/mg
($349/Mo) ($4,188/Mo)
Fentanyl 1/3 days
25mg: $1.21/mg
50mg: $1.31/mg
Morphine Extended:
100mg: $6.92/mg
15mg: $1.55/mg
(Generic)

Not Applicable