Our analysts evaluate clinical trial data, along with information regarding safety issues, coverage policies from the private and public sectors, regulatory approvals, consensus statements, and an overall projection of the potential clinical efficacy and economic impact of the technology. Reports are reviewed annually up to 5 years post publication to determine if there is new literature or evidence that would impact a change in rating and warrant an updated report.
Health Problem: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances.
Health Technology: Cranial electrical stimulation (CES) is a noninvasive therapeutic device that applies alternating pulsed current (< 1000 microamperes) transcutaneously to the head via electrodes placed on the earlobe…
Health Problem: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) can be defined as low back pain (usually, in the L1-L5 vertebrae in the lumbar region) that persists ≥ 12 weeks, even after treatment of the initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain. Low back pain impairs people’s physical and psychological health and their ability to work and take care of their family and social re…
Health Problem: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), characterized by reduced spinal canal dimensions and compressed neural elements in the lower back, is predominately caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, ligaments, and bone structures of the spine. Mobility and quality of life are substantially adversely affected. LSS is the most common reason for spinal surg…
Health Problem: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disorder that is characterized by repeated starting and stopping of breathing during sleep. Patients with OSA typically exhibit loud snoring followed by periods of silence and then snorting, choking, or gasping upon continuation of breathing. This often leads to fragmented sleep and daytime sleepiness. The estimated pr…
Health Problem: Nausea is a subjective phenomenon of an unpleasant sensation in the epigastrium and back of the throat that may or may not progress to vomiting. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum through the mouth. Three causes of nausea and vomiting that acupuncture has been investigated for the treatment of include pregnan…
Health Problem: It is estimated that 1.5 million bone-grafting operations are performed annually in the United States. One major application of bone grafting is in lumbar and cervical spinal fusion. Spinal fusion is performed for a variety of reasons, including trauma, herniated intervertebral discs, and degenerative disease. Spinal fusion has traditionally been performed with…
Health Problem: Diabetes mellitus (DM or diabetes) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by impaired metabolism of carbohydrates. This disorder manifests in 2 main forms: type 1 DM and type 2 DM. Diabetes is associated with a high incidence of vascular disease involving the large and small blood vessels, which contribute to late secondary complications of diabetes, i…
Health Problem: Headache is a common neurological condition characterized by aching or pain that occurs in 1 or more areas of the head, face, mouth, or neck. Headaches may be primary or secondary. Familiar types of primary headaches include tension-type (TTH), migraine, and cluster. Twenty percent of women and 9.7% of men in the United States report having had a severe headach…
Health Problem: Hemorrhoids are enlarged and/or symptomatic venous cushions in the rectum and anus. They are composed of clusters of vascular tissue, smooth muscle, and connective tissue. Symptomatic hemorrhoids are thought to develop when their supporting tissues deteriorate, causing abnormal downward displacement of the anal cushions and venous dilation. They can cause pain,…
Health Problem: Diabetes mellitus (DM or diabetes) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by impaired metabolism of carbohydrates. This disorder manifests in 2 main forms: type 1 DM and type 2 DM. Type 1 DM typically manifests during childhood and adolescence but can also develop in adults. Type 1 DM accounts for < 10% of cases and stems from the lack of production…