Assessing the impact of a home-based stroke rehabilitation programme: a cost-effectiveness study

Allen L, John-Baptiste A, Meyer M, Richardson M, Speechley M, Ure D, Markle-Reid M, Teasell R. Disabil Rehabil.
2018 Apr 10:1-6. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1459879. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

Background:
Stroke is often a severe and debilitating event that requires ongoing rehabilitation. The Community Stroke Rehabilitation Teams (csrts) offer home-based stroke rehabilitation to individuals for whom further therapy is unavailable or inaccessible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the CSRT programme compared with a "Usual Care" cohort.

Methods:
We collected data on CSRT clients from January 2012 to February 2013. Comparator data were derived from a study of stroke survivors with limited access to specialized stroke rehabilitation. Literature-derived values were used to inform a long-term projection. Using Markov modeling, we projected the model for 35 years in six-month cycles. One-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results were discounted at 3% per year.

Results:
Results demonstrated that the CSRT programme has a net monetary benefit (NMB) of $43,655 over Usual Care, and is both less costly and more effective (incremental cost = -$17,255; incremental effect = 1.65 Quality Adjusted Life Years [qalys]). Results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed that incremental cost-effectiveness of the CSRT programme is superior in 100% of iterations when compared to Usual Care.

Conclusions:
The study shows that CSRT model of care is cost-effective, and should be considered when evaluating potential stroke rehabilitation delivery methods. Implications for Rehabilitation Ongoing rehabilitation following stroke is imperative for optimal recovery. Home-based specialised stroke rehabilitation may be an option for individuals for whom ongoing rehabilitation is unavailable or inaccessible. The results of this study demonstrated that home-based rehabilitation is a cost-effective means of providing ongoing rehabilitation to individuals who have experienced a stroke.

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