An economic analysis of robot-assisted therapy for long-term upper-limb impairment after stroke.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Stroke is a leading cause of disability. Rehabilitation robotics have been developed to aid in recovery after a stroke. This study determined the additional cost of robot-assisted therapy and tested its cost-effectiveness.

Methods

We estimated the intervention costs and tracked participants' healthcare costs. We collected quality of life using the Stroke Impact Scale and the Health Utilities Index. We analyzed the cost data at 36 weeks postrandomization using multivariate regression models controlling for site, presence of a prior stroke, and Veterans Affairs costs in the year before randomization.

Results

A total of 127 participants were randomized to usual care plus robot therapy (n=49), usual care plus intensive comparison therapy (n=50), or

SUBMITTER: Wagner TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4445835 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature