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Abdominal massage for people with constipation: a cost utility analysis
Author(s) -
Lämås Kristina,
Lindholm Lars,
Engström Birgitta,
Jacobsson Catrine
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05339.x
Subject(s) - massage , constipation , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , functional constipation , clinical trial , nursing , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
lämås k., lindholm l., engström b. & jacobsson c. (2010) Abdominal massage for people with constipation: a cost utility analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66 (8), 1719–1729. Abstract Title. Abdominal massage for people with constipation: a cost utility analysis.Aim. This paper is a report of a study conducted to evaluate change in health‐related quality of life for people with constipation receiving abdominal massage and to estimate the cost‐effectiveness of two alternative scenarios developed from the original trial. Background. Constipation is a common problem and is associated with decrease in quality of life. Abdominal massage appears to decrease the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, but its impact on health‐related quality of life has not been assessed. Methods. A randomized controlled trial including 60 participants was conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2007. The control group continued using laxatives as before and the intervention group received additional abdominal massage. Health‐related quality of life was assessed using the EQ‐5D and analyzed with linear regression. Two scenarios were outlined to conduct a cost utility analysis. In the s elf‐massage scenario patients learned to give self‐massage, and in the p rofessional massage scenario patients in hospital received abdominal massage from an Enrolled Nurse. Results. Linear regression analysis showed that health‐related quality of life was statistically significantly increased after 8 weeks of abdominal massage. About 40% were estimated to receive good effect. For ‘self‐massage’, the cost per quality adjusted life year was €75,000 for the first 16 weeks. For every additional week of abdominal massage, the average dropped and eventually approached €8300. For ‘professional massage’, the cost per quality adjusted life year was €60,000 and eventually dropped to €28,000. Conclusion. Abdominal massage may be cost‐effective in the long‐term and it is relevant to consider it when managing constipation. A crucial aspect will be to identify those who will benefit.