Economic evaluation alongside a phase II, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of very early rehabilitation after stroke (AVERT)

Abstract

Background/Purpose: The effectiveness and costs of very early rehabilitation after stroke are unknown. This study assessed the cost effectiveness of very early mobilisation in addition to standard care (VEM) compared with standard care alone (SC). Methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a phase II, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) with blinded outcome assessments. Less than 24 h after stroke, patients were recruited from two stroke units and randomised to receive VEM or SC. The intervention continued until discharge or 14 days, whichever was sooner. The efficacy measure was a dichotomised modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months with mRS ≤2 representing good outcome. Cos..