Vertebral axial decompression therapy for chronic low back pain
Medical Services Advisory Committee
Record ID 32002000073
English
Authors' objectives:
This report aims to assess the effectiveness of vertebral axial decompression therapy for chronic low back pain.
Authors' results and conclusions:
For patients with radiculopathy or radicular pain associated with a herniated intervertebral disc, there is some evidence to suggest that surgical discectomy is more effective than vertebral axial decompression (VAX-D) therapy at relieving pain in the short to medium term. No comparisons can be made between these two therapies in this patient group over the long term (ie, 10 years).
For other patient groups (ie, patients with radiculopathy or radicular pain associated with degenerated intervertebral discs, and patients with non-specific low back pain) there is insufficient evidence to make any conclusions regarding the relative effectiveness of VAX-D therapy.
Authors' recommendations:
Since there is currently insufficient evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of vertebral axial decompression (VAX-D) therapy, MSAC recommended that public funding should not be supported at this time for this procedure.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.msac.gov.au/reports.htm
Year Published:
2001
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Australia
MeSH Terms
- Back Pain
- Spinal Cord Compression
Contact
Organisation Name:
Medical Services Advisory Committee
Contact Address:
MSAC (MDP 107), GPO Box 9848, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Tel: +61 2 6289 6811; Fax: +61 2 6289 8799.
Contact Name:
msac.secretariat@health.gov.au
Contact Email:
msac.secretariat@health.gov.au
Copyright:
Medicare Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.