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.