[Objective] To estimate the average cost per acupuncture treatment and to assess patients' opinions about the cost of the treatment in Japan.
[Methods] We summarized data concerning the cost of acupuncture treatment and patients' opinions about its cost in a survey that was conducted in July 2000 among patients who visited acupuncture clinics where thepractitioners were the members of alumni association of Meiji University of Oriental Medicine.
[Results] Of 2, 210 questionnaires distributed to the subjects, 1, 319 (59.7%) responded and 1, 264 (57.2%) were relevant to the analysis. 425 (33.6%), 331 (26.2%) and 203 (16.1%) paid 3, 001-4, 000 yen, 2, 001-3, 000 yen and 1, 001-2, 000 yen per treatment, respectively. The average (95%CI) fee paid by patients who wanted the treatment to be 'cheaper' (group 1), and 'slightly cheaper' (group 2) was 3, 310 yen (3081-3538) and 3, 508 yen (3328-3689), respectively. Among those who thought the fee was 'reasonable' (group 3), it was 3, 060 yen (2, 947-3, 172). For those who were able to pay more (group 4), it was 2, 927 yen (2655-3188). The average (95%CI) fee which were considered as 'reasonable' by each group, classified according to opinion, were 2, 080 (1, 906-2, 254), 2, 411 (2, 292-2, 529), 3, 046 (2, 930-3, 161) and 3, 923 (3, 582-4, 263) for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, re-spectively. The 'reasonable' and 'maximum' costs suggested by the patients were significantly correlated with the current fees paid. Patients' satisfaction with the treatment, which was evaluated with VAS, was related to the opinion of the patients on the cost per treatment.
[Conclusion] Most of the respondents paid 3, 001-4000 yen for an acupuncture session, although the reasonable cost suggested by the patients varied according to the current cost and the patients' satisfaction with the treatment.