Post-stroke rehabilitation cost with traditional therapy: Evidence from a public hospital

After surviving from an acute phase of stroke, it is essential for stroke survivors to continue therapies to improve their function and quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of rehabilitation treatment on the society in economic aspect with evidence from a traditional hospital.

A prospective cohort study was carried out with patients who were being treated at Traditional Medicine Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City after experiencing a stroke. Patients' relevant medical information was extracted from the hospital's database and placed on a structured questionnaire.

Among 103 eligible patients aged 60.3 } 11.4 years, 93.2% had experienced a stroke for the first time. Eighty-four patients were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke, while the number of haemorrhagic stroke patients was approximately 4.5 times lower (n = 19). The mean total cost was $3,310.40 USD, which included $1,653.60 USD, $539.90 USD and $1,117.00 USD for direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect cost, respectively. Hospital bed costs accounted for a considerable percentage of direct medical costs (41.0%).

Stroke was determined to be a significant social burden, although patients in this study had already suffered from the acute phase. This study gives decision makers a comparative view about the economic view on the economic burden of the stroke rehabilitation treatment between using traditional national Western and Eastern therapy.