Naturopathic doctors may at times receive this question from their patients. It is nice to know that there is an evidence-based response that says “Yes!”
Rising health care costs have been a fact for some time. Evidence is now emerging that adding or enhancing adjunctive care services can serve to reduce overall costs. Much of the evidence relates to treating chronic conditions that can be major cost drivers within health care. This article highlights the findings from four randomized clinical trials conducted in partnership with a major Canadian corporation and a major union, and examines public polling data suggesting that the savings identified can be anticipated in other settings.
The genesis of the four corporate clinical trials was a joint (union/management) health and wellness committee created to improve the health of union members within the corporation. Although it was understood that improved employee health could relate to cost savings, this was not the initial focus. The studies examined:
- cardiovascular health as measured by the risk of a cardiovascular event
- chronic back pain
- rotator cuff tendonitis
- anxiety
The largest, and most recent of these studies, was multi-centered (Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver) and focused on the reduction of the risk of a cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.) among volunteer union employees whose physical examinations revealed significant risk. Over 1,100 study candidates were screened; 246 were admitted to the study and randomized to one of two groups. Members of the control group were encouraged to continue to see their standard medical providers as deemed appropriate for managing their condition. Members of the active treatment group were also encouraged to continue to see their standard medical providers, but in addition they received naturopathic care consisting of some combination of lifestyle counselling, nutritional counselling, and dietary supplementation. The study showed that the group receiving naturopathic care experienced a significant risk reduction for cardiovascular events, as well as a reduction in the frequency of metabolic syndrome. The results of this study were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.1
A companion economic study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine determined that the significant reduction in cardiovascular risk resulted in a net study year savings of $1,187 to the employer, and an additional $1,138 for society (all figures in Canadian dollars).2
The chronic back pain study involved workers aged 18 to 65 with a clinical diagnosis of low back pain of at least six months duration. Both the active treatment group and the control groups had bi-weekly meetings with a healthcare provider. The control group received standard physiotherapy advice, while the active treatment group received naturopathic care consisting of exercise and dietary advice, relaxation training, and acupuncture. The study found that those receiving naturopathic treatment reported significantly lower back pain (P<0.0001) as measured by the Oswestry questionnaire. Quality-of-life was also significantly improved in the group receiving naturopathic care in all domains except for vitality. All secondary outcomes were also significantly improved in the group receiving naturopathic care: spinal flexion (P<0.0001), weight-loss (P=0.0052) and Body Mass Index (P= 0.01). The paper was published in the Public Library of Science One online journal.3
According to a companion economics study, researchers concluded that the impact of naturopathic care would “significantly reduce societal costs by $1,212 per participant.”4
The additional studies and the data on patient behavior will be presented in the next blog post.
Note: Parts of this submission have been extracted from an article that the author wrote in the Benefits and Pension Monitor.
For more information on the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, visit http://www.ccnm.edu/.
