PURPOSE: To identify the existing evidence evaluating the cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments for people with neurological disorders. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched from database inception until July 2018. Studies estimating the cost-effectiveness as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, cost per quality-adjusted life year, cost per disability-adjusted life year and cost per other measurable results were included. Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list were used for rating the quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 1,462 participants were included. Aerobic training, progressive strength training, and a pragmatic physiotherapy program (combination of stretching, strength, and balance training) were reported as potentially cost-effective for older adults with vascular cognitive impairment, falls prevention in Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis respectively. Physiotherapy as an adjuvant for pain control was also reported as cost-effective for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. One study testing extra physiotherapy-by-physiotherapy assistant in cerebral palsy and two studies testing extra therapy using a robotic arm and Wii therapy for hand rehabilitation in stroke were reported as not cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: There are limited studies that have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments in neurological disorders. Three studies that combined extra physiotherapy-by-physiotherapy assistant and novel interventions with conventional physiotherapy were found not cost-effective.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher