BACKGROUND: Blended physiotherapy, in which physiotherapy sessions and an online application are integrated, might support patients in taking an active role in the management of their chronic condition and may reduce disease related costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a blended physiotherapy intervention (e-Exercise) compared to usual physiotherapy in patients with osteoarthritis of hip and/or knee, from the societal as well as the healthcare perspective.METHODS: This economic evaluation was conducted alongside a 12-month cluster randomized controlled trial, in which 108 patients received e-Exercise, consisting of physiotherapy sessions and a web-application, and 99 patients received usual physiotherapy. Clinical outcome measures were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) according to the EuroQol (EQ-5D-3 L), physical functioning (HOOS/KOOS) and physical activity (Actigraph Accelerometer). Costs were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Missing data were multiply imputed and bootstrapping was used to estimate statistical uncertainty.RESULTS: Intervention costs and medication costs were significantly lower in e-Exercise compared to usual physiotherapy. Total societal costs and total healthcare costs did not significantly differ between groups. No significant differences in effectiveness were found between groups. For physical functioning and physical activity, the maximum probability of e-Exercise being cost-effective compared to usual physiotherapy was moderate (< 0.82) from both perspectives. For QALYs, the probability of e-Exercise being cost-effective compared to usual physiotherapy was 0.68/0.84 at a willingness to pay of 10,000 Euro and 0.70/0.80 at a willingness to pay of 80,000 Euro per gained QALY, from respectively the societal and the healthcare perspective.CONCLUSIONS: E-Exercise itself was significantly cheaper compared to usual physiotherapy in patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis, but not cost-effective from the societal- as well as healthcare perspective. The decision between both interventions can be based on the preferences of the patient and the physiotherapist.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR4224 (25 October 2013).
Background: Major surgery is associated with negative postoperative outcomes such as complications and delayed or poor recovery. Multimodal prehabilitation can help to reduce the negative effects of major surgery. Offering prehabilitation by means of mobile health (mHealth) could be an effective new approach. Objective: The objectives of this pilot study were to (1) evaluate the usability of the Be Prepared mHealth app prototype for people undergoing major surgery, (2) explore whether the app was capable of bringing about a change in risk behaviors, and (3) estimate a preliminary effect of the app on functional recovery after major surgery. Methods: A mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in two Dutch academic hospitals. In total, 86 people undergoing major surgery participated. Participants in the intervention group received access to the Be Prepared app, a smartphone app using behavior change techniques to address risk behavior prior to surgery. Both groups received care as usual. Usability (System Usability Scale), change in risk behaviors 3 days prior to surgery, and functional recovery 30 days after discharge from hospital (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical functioning 8-item short form) were assessed using online questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable linear regression. Semistructured interviews about the usability of the app were conducted with 12 participants in the intervention group. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results: Seventy-nine people-40 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group-were available for further analysis. Participants had a median age of 61 (interquartile range 51.0-68.0) years. The System Usability Scale showed that patients considered the Be Prepared app to have acceptable usability (mean 68.2 [SD 18.4]). Interviews supported the usability of the app. The major point of improvement identified was further personalization of the app. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed an increase in self-reported physical activity and muscle strengthening activities prior to surgery. Also, 2 of 2 frequent alcohol users in the intervention group versus 1 of 9 in the control group drank less alcohol in the run-up to surgery. No difference was found in change of smoking cessation. Between-group analysis showed no meaningful differences in functional recovery after correction for baseline values (β=-2.4 [95% CI -5.9 to 1.1]). Conclusions: The Be Prepared app prototype shows potential in terms of usability and changing risk behavior prior to major surgery. No preliminary effect of the app on functional recovery was found. Points of improvement have been identified with which the app and future research can be optimized. Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Registry NL8623; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8623.
ObjectivesAdherence to lifestyle interventions is crucial for the treatment of obesity. However, there is little research about adherence to lifestyle interventions in persons around retirement age. The objectives of this study are (1) to identify factors associated with the adherence to resistance training and a hypocaloric diet and (2) to describe the association between adherence and changes in body composition outcome parameters.DesignThis secondary data analysis included three randomized controlled trials.Setting & participantsThe inclusion criteria of the participants were an age of 55–75 years, a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and receiving both a hypocaloric diet and resistance training. All participants were residing in the community.MeasurementsAdherence to hypocaloric diet was measured through the mean dietary intake on the basis of a 3-day dietary record. If the participant consumed at least 600 kcal less than the individual caloric requirements, they were considered adherent. Adherence to resistance training was achieved if ≥67% of the recommended training sessions were attended over the course of the study periods.Results232 participants were included, 47.0% female, mean age 64.0 (±5.5) years. 80.2% adhered to resistance training and 51.3% adhered to a hypocaloric diet. Older age (Beta 0.41; 95% CI 0.05, 0.78; p = 0.028) and male sex (Beta 7.7; 95% CI 3.6, 11; p < 0.001) were associated with higher resistance training adherence. A higher BMI at baseline (Beta 6.4; 95% CI 3.6, 9.2; p < 0.001) and male sex (Beta 65; 95% CI 41, 88; p < 0.001) were associated with higher adherence to hypocaloric diet.ConclusionWe identified several associated factors (sex, age and BMI at baseline) that should be considered to promote adherence in future lifestyle intervention studies in persons around retirement age. We recommend including behavior change techniques in lifestyle interventions and consider sex-specific interventions to improve the adherence of women.
MULTIFILE
