Study protocol

Cost effectiveness of preventing falls and improving mobility in people with Parkinson disease: protocol for an economic evaluation alongside a clinical trial

Jennifer J Watts^1,6 , Jennifer L McGinley^2,6 , Frances Huxham^3,4,6 , Hylton B Menz^5,6 , Robert Iansek^3,4 , Anna T Murphy^3,4,6 , Emma R Waller¹ and Meg E Morris⁶

¹Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Building 75, 3800 Melbourne, Australia

²Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 3052 Melbourne, Australia

³Clinical Research Centre in Movement Disorders and Gait (National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence), Kingston Centre Southern Health, Melbourne, Australia

⁴Monash Ageing Research Centre, Monash University, 3168 Clayton, Australia

⁵Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, 3086 Melbourne, Australia

⁶Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, 3010 Melbourne, Australia

author email corresponding author email

BMC Geriatrics 2008, 8:23doi:10.1186/1471-2318-8-23

Published:	30 September 2008

Abstract

Background

Cost of illness studies show that Parkinson disease (PD) is costly for individuals, the healthcare system and society. The costs of PD include both direct and indirect costs associated with falls and related injuries.

Methods

This protocol describes a prospective economic analysis conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial (RCT). It evaluates whether physical therapy is more cost effective than usual care from the perspective of the health care system. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated using a three-way comparison of the cost per fall averted and the cost per quality adjusted life year saved across two physical therapy interventions and a control group.

Conclusion

This study has the potential to determine whether targetted physical therapy as an adjunct to standard care can be cost effective in reducing falls in people with PD.

Trial Registration

No: ACTRN12606000344594