Cost effectiveness of complementary treatments in the United Kingdom: systematic review

Abstract
We systematically searched seven electronic databases and included all prospective controlled studies, done in the UK before April 2005, of the cost effectiveness of complementary treatments (see bmj.com). We excluded cost minimisation studies because complementary treatments are insufficiently tested in the NHS to warrant the assumption that they are as effective as conventional treatments. Five studies, all randomised, were included, one of acupuncture for chronic headache and four of spinal manipulation for different types of spinal pain (table).