Considering Additional Benefits
Commenting on the study, Alan Tam, MD, a physiatrist at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s Brain Rehabilitation Program, said, “The authors show that within the timeframe of their analysis, there is a trend to cost-effectiveness for the cognitive intervention being offered.” Dr. Tam did not participate in the research.
“However, the finding is not robust, as less than 50% of their simulations would meet their acceptability level they have defined,” he said. “Given that most of the cost of the intervention is up front, but the benefits are likely lifelong, potentially taking the 12-month analysis to a lifetime analysis would show more significant findings.”
Dr. Tam researches factors associated with brain injury rehabilitation and has explored the cost-effectiveness of a high-intensity outpatient stroke rehabilitation program.
“Presenting this type of work is important,” he said. “While there are interventions that do not meet our definition of statistical significance, especially in the rehabilitation world, there can still be a benefit for patients and health systems.”
The primary study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Jack Brown and Family Alzheimer Research Foundation Society. Dr. Davis reported receiving grants from the CIHR and Michael Smith Health Research BC during the conduct of the study. Dr. Tam reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.