Table 10:
Variables Modified for One-Way Sensitivity Analyses
| Variable | Base Case | Modified Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of effect | 2 years | 1 year | |
| Duration of effect | 2 years diminishing effect | 2 years sustained effect | Patients would receive 2 years of sustained effect with the 2 interventions and then experience no difference in effect, compared with conventional treatment. |
| Physiotherapist wage | $35.02 | $36.70 | The modified value is the median wage of physiotherapists in Windsor-Sarnia (23) |
| Involvement of physiotherapy assistant | 0 | 50% | Observe changes in results if 50% of additional physiotherapist time is provided by a physiotherapy assistant (median wage $17 per hour) |
| First-year mortality rate | Ontario Stroke Evaluation Report | Statistics Canada Life Tables and published standardized mortality ratios | Observe changes in results if mortality rate in first year is calculated by multiplying the mortality rate reported in Statistics Canada Life Tables (21) with published standardized mortality ratios for stroke patients. (22) |
| Discount rate | 5% | 0% | Observe effect of not applying the CADTH-recommended discount. (15) |
| Discount rate | 5% | 3% | Observe effect of reducing the CADTH-recommended discount to 3%. (15) |
| Utility values | 6-week study follow-up results | 18-week study follow-up results | 0.64 for functional strength training plus conventional physiotherapy, 0.56 for higher-intensity physiotherapy, 0.6 for conventional physiotherapy. |
| Inpatient rehabilitation length of stay | 14% reduction | No reduction |
Abbreviation: CADTH, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.