Table 4. Results of included studies.
| Study | Experimental Group | Comparison / Control Group | Between group difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randomized Clinical Trials | |||
| den Hertog et al 2012 [44] | Mean LOS, days 6.75 ± 2.92* |
Mean LOS, days 13.20 ± 1.63* |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p < .0001) Calculated difference: 6.45 |
| Labraca et al 2011 [32] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 6.37 ± 1.16 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 8.46 ± 2.36 |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p < .001) Calculated difference: 2.09 |
| Larsen et al 2008 [36] | Unadjusted mean LOS ± SD 4.9 ± 2.4 |
Unadjusted mean LOS ± SD 7.8 ± 2.1 |
Adjusted mean difference in LOS (95% CI; p-value) 3.1 (2.3–4.0; p < .001) Calculated difference: 2.9 |
| Reilly et al 2005 [45] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 1.5 ± 0.7 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 4.3 ± 1.3 |
Mean LOS was shorter for EG than CG. Calculated difference: 2.8 |
| Average total cost, £ 3,391 |
Average total cost, £ 4,634 |
Average saving per patient in EG was £1243, approximately 27% saving on the total average cost per patient in CG. | |
| Cost-effectiveness Study based on a Randomized Clinical Trial | |||
| Larsen et al 2009 [34] | Average total cost ± SD, DKK 71,344 ± 39,958 |
Average total cost ± SD, DKK 90,227 ± 47,475 |
Uni-variate crude analysis of mean difference in incremental average total cost, DKK (95% CI; p-value) –18,880 (–1899 to –38,152; p = .036) |
| Quasi-experimental Study | |||
| Larsen et al 2008 [33] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 4.2 ± 1.8 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 7.3 ± 1.8 |
Mean LOS was shorter for EG than CG. Calculated difference: 3.1 |
| Prospective Cohort Study | |||
| Chen A et al 2012 [29] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 2.81 ± 0.77 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 3.79 ± 1.74 |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p = .019) Calculated difference: 0.98 |
| Gulotta et al 2011 [46] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 2.6 ± 0.9 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 4.1 ± 1.5 |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p < .0001) Calculated difference: 1.5 |
| Isaac et al 2005 [47] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 3.6 ± 1.0 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 6.6 ± 2.6 |
Greater reduction in mean LOS favoring EG (p < .001) Calculated difference: 3.0 |
| Larsen et al 2008 [35] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 4.3 ± 1.8 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 8.8 ± 3.0 |
Crude adjusted mean difference in LOS, days (95% CI; p-value) 4.4 (3.8–5.0; p < .001) Calculated difference: 4.5 |
| Tayrose et al 2013 [39] | Mean LOS, days 3.85 |
Mean LOS, days 4.39 |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p < .001) Calculated difference: 0.54 |
| Wellman et al 2011 [40] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 1.65 ± 0.89 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 3.54 ± 1.05 |
Mean LOS was shorter for EG than CG. Calculated difference: 1.89 |
| Retrospective Cohort Study | |||
| Chen H et al 2012 [30] | Mean total medical expenses ± SD, NTD EG 4,603.42 ± 9,551.60 |
Mean total medical expenses ± SD, NTD CoG 141.66 ± 3,350 CG 6,913.98 ± 10,661.53 |
CoG had lowest total medical expenses, while CG had highest total medical expenses (p < .001) Calculated difference: 2,310.56 |
| Juliano et al 2011 [31] | Mean LOS ± SD, days 3.27 ± 0.85 |
Mean LOS ± SD, days 3.48 ± 0.88 |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p = .014) Calculated difference: 0.21 |
| Pua & Ong 2014 [37] | Adjusted LOS, days 4.07 |
Adjusted LOS, days 4.51 |
Adjusted mean difference in LOS (95% CI; p-value) –0.44 (–0.29 to 0.60; p < .001) |
| Adjusted Total Hospitalization Costs on DC, S$ 11,215 |
Adjusted Total Hospitalization Costs on DC, S$ 11,600 |
Adjusted mean difference in costs (95% CI; p-value) –385 (–112 to –672; p < .001) |
|
| Raphael et al 2011 [50] | Adjusted Mean LOS, days† 1.96 (95% CI 1.71–2.21) |
Adjusted Mean LOS, days† 4.83 (95% CI 4.58–5.08) |
Adjusted mean difference in LOS (95% CI) –2.88 (–2.5 to –3.25) |
| Robbins et al 2014 [38] | Mean LOS, days 2.06 (Range 1–9) |
Mean LOS, days 3.38 (Range 1–23) |
Shorter mean LOS for EG than CG (p < .05) Calculated difference: 1.32 |
Abbreviations: CG, comparison group; CI, confidence interval; DKK, Danish kroner; DC, discharge; EG, experimental group; HRQOL, health-related quality of life; LOS, length of stay; £, pounds; ROM, range of motion; S$, Singapore dollars; SD, standard deviation; VAS, visual analog scale
*Standard deviations were obtained by contacting the author.
†Mean LOS data was converted from hours to days for consistency.