Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of an Education Program for PD Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

<div><p>Background</p><p>Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by its impact on quality of life, constituting a substantial economic burden on society. Education programs implicating patients more in the management of their illness and complementing medical treatment may be a beneficial adjunct in PD. This study assessed the impact of an education program on quality of life and its cost-effectiveness in PD patients.</p><p>Methods</p><p>This single-center, prospective, randomized study assessed an education program consisting of individual and group sessions over a 12-month period. A total of 120 PD patients were assigned to either the Treated by Behavioral Intervention group (TTBI) or the no TTBI group. The primary outcome criterion was quality of life assessed using PDQ39. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and psychological status were collected. An economic evaluation was performed, including calculations of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).</p><p>Results</p><p>After 12 months of follow-up, changes recorded in the PDQ39 between the groups were not significantly different but better changes were observed in each dimension in the TTBI group compared to the no TTBI group. UPDRS I, II and total score were significantly improved in TTBI group compared to the no TTBI group. Mean annual costs did not differ significantly between the two groups.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>This study suggested that the education program positively impacts the perceived health of PD patients without increasing medical costs.</p></div

Flow chart of participants in the study.

<p>Flow chart of participants in the study.</p

Comparison of the changes (between the baseline and at 12 months) of quality of life, motor and psychological scale scores for both groups.

<p>Comparison of the changes (between the baseline and at 12 months) of quality of life, motor and psychological scale scores for both groups.</p

Economic analysis: patient characteristics and costs.

<p>Economic analysis: patient characteristics and costs.</p

Evaluation of the change in PDQ-39 score between the baseline and at 12 months in the two groups of PD patients.

<p>The spider chart shows the difference in each PDQ-39 dimension between the baseline and at 12 months. The dotted line indicates an absence of change in the PDQ-39 score over the 12-month period. Quality of life improved when the point plotted is below the dotted line and worsened when it is above the dotted line.</p

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