OBJECTIVES :

Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries for which patients frequently pursue non-pharmacologic, self-care treatment options. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adjunctive kinesiology taping therapy in addition to acupuncture compared to acupuncture alone in patients with ankle sprains.

METHODS

Patients at the age of 19 years or older with Grade I to II lateral ankle sprains within 72 hours were eligible for this study. Patients were assigned to receive either acupuncture alone (control) or acupuncture in combination with kinesiology taping therapy (intervention) every day for one week with a follow-up period of additional 26 weeks. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using QALYs at the end of the study period; QALYs were calculated using the quality weights based on the EQ-5D questionnaire. A decision tree model was constructed with treatment success defined as the FAOS score of 75% or more. The cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a restricted societal perspective by including direct medical and non-medical costs.

RESULTS :

Overall, 28 and 27 patients were included in the control and intervention group, respectively, with comparable baseline characteristics between the two groups (p > 0.05). The incremental QALY and cost for the adjunct kinesiology taping therapy with acupuncture was 0.025 (0.817 vs. 0.792 QALY) and -10,657 Korean Won (169,967 vs. 180,624 Korean Won), respectively, resulting in the average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) of 401,268 Korean Won/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS :

In conclusion, our analysis showed the ACER of adjunctive kinesiology taping to acupuncture was below the threshold of willingness-to-pay in Korea (3,050,000 Korean Won/QALY). Compared to acupuncture monotherapy, adjunctive kinesiology taping therapy in addition to acupuncture was considered superior for the treatment of mild to moderate ankle sprains, suggesting it as a cost-effective treatment option.