Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
Publisher
Springer
Source Publication
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Source ISSN
1743-0003
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-023-01134-7
Abstract
Background
Few, if any estimates of cost-effectiveness for locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (SCI) are available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (overground robotic locomotor training versus conventional locomotor training) by injury status (complete versus incomplete) using a practice-based cohort.
Methods
A probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a prospective, practice-based cohort from four participating Spinal Cord Injury Model System sites. Conventional locomotor training strategies (conventional training) were compared to overground robotic locomotor training (overground robotic training). Conventional locomotor training included treadmill-based training with body weight support, overground training, and stationary robotic systems. The outcome measures included the calculation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) using the EQ-5D and therapy costs. We estimate cost-effectiveness using the incremental cost utility ratio and present results on the cost-effectiveness plane and on cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.
Results
Participants in the prospective, practice-based cohort with complete EQ-5D data (n = 99) qualified for the analysis. Both conventional training and overground robotic training experienced an improvement in QALYs. Only people with incomplete SCI improved with conventional locomotor training, 0.045 (SD 0.28), and only people with complete SCI improved with overground robotic training, 0.097 (SD 0.20). Costs were lower for conventional training, $1758 (SD $1697) versus overground robotic training $3952 (SD $3989), and lower for those with incomplete versus complete injury. Conventional overground training was more effective and cost less than robotic therapy for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more effective and cost more than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The incremental cost utility ratio for overground robotic training for people with complete spinal cord injury was $12,353/QALY.
Conclusions
The most cost-effective locomotor training strategy for people with SCI differed based on injury completeness. Conventional training was more cost-effective than overground robotic training for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more cost-effective than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The effect estimates may be subject to limitations associated with small sample sizes and practice-based evidence methodology. These estimates provide a baseline for future research.
Recommended Citation
Pinto, Daniel; Heinemann, Allen W.; Chang, Shuo-Hsiu; Charlifue, Susan; Field-Fote, Edelle C.; Furbish, Catherine L.; Jayaraman, Arun; Tefertiller, Candy; Taylor, Heather B.; and French, Dustin D., "Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Overground Robotic Training Versus Conventional Locomotor Training in People with Spinal Cord Injury" (2023). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 213.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/213
Comments
Published version. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Vol. 20 (2023). DOI. ©2023 The Author(s). Used with permission.
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