A preliminary economic evaluation of percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of various treatment modalities for hemiplegic shoulder pain.

DESIGN

A stage II economic evaluation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incremental cost effectiveness ratio of P-NMES, compared to slings and anti-inflammatory injections.

RESULTS

The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of p-NMES, compared to anti-inflammatory injections is 6,061 euro(+/-3,285). The incremental cost of the first quality-adjusted life year after implantation of the P-NMES device compared to anti-inflammatory injections is 33,007 euro (+/-5,434). This decreases to approximately 7,000 euro after 5 years, and to approximately 5,000 euro after 10 survival years.

CONCLUSION

In this early evaluation, P-NMES seems to be cost-effective according to known guidelines. Treatment with P-NMES is recommended for patients with chronic HSP.