Comparison of functional outcomes and treatment cost between a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation teletherapy program and a face-to-face rehabilitation program.

Abstract

The authors compared outcomes of 19 participants who received computer-based cognitive teletherapy rehabilitation with 20 participants who received face-to-face speech–language rehabilitation. The study compared outcomes from 2 “real-word” treatment programs provided by an outpatient rehabilitation center. A total of 39 participants with moderate to severe closed head traumatic brain injuries and a minimum of 1 year following injury were analyzed. Outcome measures included clinical indicators of independent living status, return to work or school, and independent driving. Cost measures included the total cost of the treatment and a measure of service costs per hour. Time since injury was a covariate, and an analysis of covariance revealed no differences between groups in independent living, driving status, return to work or school, or total treatment costs. The computer-based teletherapy cognitive rehabilitation program provided similar functional outcomes as face-to-face speech–language therapy at a similar total cost.