Poster (Health Services, Economics and Policy Change) ID 1977284

Abstract

Background/Objective Activity-based therapies (ABT) are task specific, repetitive and intensive active movement interventions that may improve function and independence for individuals with spinal cord injury. The cost of implementing ABT is an important consideration for rehabilitation facilities interested in providing this intervention. Thus, a scoping review was conducted to evaluate the economic evidence for ABT for the rehabilitation of upper or lower limb impairment. Design/Methods A search of various scientific literature databases (including EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL) was conducted using search terms developed in collaboration with a Medical Librarian. Studies were included if they were economic analyses of an ABT conducted for individuals with upper or lower limb mobility impairment. Titles and abstracts were initially screened by two of the authors followed by a full-text review of remaining articles. Articles included in the review were evaluated for methodological quality and presented descriptively because of the heterogeneity in study design, populations and outcomes. Results Of the 6,031 unique citations originally identified, 14 articles were included after full-text screening. Two-third of the studies were for stroke and half of the studies originated from the US. Robot-assisted therapies represented half of the studies and about a quarter were locomotor training programs. In the stroke and spinal cord injured population, robot-assisted therapies and body supported treadmill therapy appear to be cost-effective respectively. Conclusions There is some evidence to support the cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted therapies and body supported treadmill therapy. However, the evidence is very limited and additional research is needed.