Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults
Published on: December 9, 2014
Cost-effectiveness of the HiBalance training program for elderly with Parkinson's disease: analysis of data from a
Conran Joseph1,2, Nina Brodin1,3, Breiffni Leavy1,4
11 Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Objective::
To determine the cost-effectiveness of the HiBalance training program for managing Parkinson's disease (PD)-related balance and gait disorders.
Design::
Cost comparison design following the randomized controlled trial comparing a novel balance training intervention with care as usual.
Subjects::
A total of 100 participants with mild-moderate PD were randomized to either the intervention ( n = 51) or the control group ( n = 49).
Intervention::
A 10-week (three times per week), group-based, progressive balance training program, led by two physical therapists.
Main Outcomes::
All program costs were collected for both groups. Cost-utility was evaluated using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost-effectiveness measures were the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest; assessing balance performance) and gait velocity. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted.
Results::
The between-group difference in QALYs was 0.043 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.011-0.075), favoring the intervention group. Between-group differences in balance performance and gait velocity were 2.16 points (95% CI: 1.19-3.13) and 8.2 cm/second (95% CI: 2.9-13.6), respectively, favoring the intervention group. The mean cost per participant in the intervention group was 16,222 SEK (€1649) compared to 2696 SEK (€274) for controls. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were 314,558 SEK (€31,969) for an additional QALY, 6262 SEK (€631) for one point improvement in balance performance, and 1650 SEK (€166) for 1 cm/second increase in gait velocity. Sensitivity analyses indicated a high probability (85%) of program success.
Conclusion::
In terms of QALYs, the HiBalance program demonstrated a high probability of cost-effectiveness in the short-term perspective when considering the willingness-to-pay thresholds used in Europe.
