Economic Evaluation in Neurological Physiotherapy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review was carried out to compile and assess original studies that included economic evaluations of neurological physiotherapy interventions. A thorough search of PubMED, Cochrane and Embase was developed using keywords such as health economics, neurological physiotherapy and cost analysis, and studies published during the last six-year term were selected. A total of 3124 studies were analyzed, and 43 were eligible for inclusion. Among the studies analyzed, 48.8% were interventions for stroke patients, and 13.9% were focused on Parkinson’s disease. In terms of the countries involved, 46.5% of the studies included were developed in the UK, and 13.9% were from the USA. The economic analysis most frequently used was cost-utility, implemented in 22 of the studies. A cost-effectiveness analysis was also developed in nine of those studies. The distribution of studies including an economic evaluation in this discipline showed a clear geographic dominance in terms of the pathology. A clear upward trend was noted in the economic evaluation of interventions developed in neurological physiotherapy. However, these studies should be promoted for their use in evidence-based clinical practice and decision-making.

Cost-Effectiveness of Treatments for Musculoskeletal Conditions Offered by Physiotherapists: A Systematic Review of Trial-Based Evaluations

“…Several studies have already demonstrated that physiotherapists offer treatments worth the money [ 7 , 8 ]. One review provides an overview of economic evaluations for treatments of neurological conditions offered by physiotherapists [ 9 ] and another review evaluates the cost-effectiveness of physical exercise, which is one of the treatment modalities offered by physiotherapists, for various health conditions [ 10 ]. However, an overview of existing economic evaluations of different physiotherapeutic treatment modalities for patients with musculoskeletal conditions is missing.…”

Data-Driven Classification of Human Movements in Virtual Reality–Based Serious Games: Preclinical Rehabilitation Study in Citizen Science

“…Beyond loss of mobility, stroke-induced disability takes a societal toll; many stroke survivors can no longer contribute to the workforce and lose their functional role in their community [ 2 ]. They often enter a downward spiral that is associated with a steep decline in their psychological and cognitive well-being, affecting their families and social circles [ 1 , 3 , 4 ].…”

Economic evaluations of musculoskeletal physiotherapy: protocol of a systematic review

“…A recent systematic review of economic evaluations of neurological physiotherapeutic interventions has addressed this challenge. 6 In contrast to standard systematic reviews that article only provides an overview of existing studies, based on their geographical location and underlying health condition in the neurological physiotherapeutic field. Unfortunately, the quality of the included studies was not evaluated, which would have provided valuable insights on the quality of the evidence and the research gaps.…”

“…A recent systematic review of economic evaluations of neurological physiotherapeutic interventions has addressed this challenge 6. In contrast to standard systematic reviews that article only provides an overview of existing studies, based on their geographical location and underlying health condition in the neurological physiotherapeutic field.…”