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Economic value of physiotherapy interventions in headache management: a scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Headache disorders impose a substantial economic burden. Health economic evaluations are vital for informing healthcare decisions by assessing the costs and benefits of interventions, including physiotherapy. Evaluating the cost-benefit impact of integrating physiotherapy into headache management is therefore essential. OBJECTIVE: To map studies including economic evaluations of physiotherapy interventions for headache management, defined as systematic comparisons of alternative treatments in terms of costs and outcomes. METHODS: Scoping review (PCC framework) conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, INHTA databases (April 2026). Adults with headache receiving physiotherapy were included. Economic evaluations and cost measures were extracted. Studies were screened in two stages and synthesised descriptively. Reviews, trials, cohort, case report, case-control studies in English, Dutch, German were considered (Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FVHXA ). RESULTS: Physiotherapy, as monodisciplinary, part of an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach, was only included in eight out of 1271 studies. Interventions varied by setting (inpatient/outpatient) and delivery (individual/group). Three studies conducted cost-effectiveness analyses. A multimodal, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach reduced medication-use, consultations, inpatient admissions (direct), and improved work status (indirect). However, evidence is insufficient to conclude that incorporating physiotherapy reduces healthcare costs. CONCLUSION: A significant gap exists regarding the cost-reducing potential of physiotherapy in headache management. Rigorous economic analyses are needed to determine its clinical and economic value. Greater transparency and consensus on cost variables are recommended, along with investigation of which physiotherapy components yield optimal cost savings without compromising individual benefits. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Source: BMC Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-026-14701-0

Authors: Sarah Mingels, Marita Granitzer, Ina Diener, Wim Dankaerts

Institutions: KU Leuven, Hasselt University, Stellenbosch University

Language: English

Topic: Migraine and Headache Studies

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290