Cost-effectiveness of aerobic and resistance exercise in seniors with knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine, in a randomized clinical trial of 439 individuals with knee osteoarthritis, the incremental cost-effectiveness of aerobic versus weight resistance training, compared with an education control intervention.


METHODS
Cost estimates of the intervention were based upon the cost of purchasing from the community similar services to provide exercise or health education. Effect at 18 months was measured using several variables, including: self-reported disability score, 6-min walking distance, stair climb, lifting and carrying task, car task, and measures of pain frequency and pain intensity on ambulation and transfer.


RESULTS
The total cost of the educational intervention was $343.98 per participant. The aerobic exercise intervention cost $323.55 per participant, and the resistance training intervention cost $325.20 per participant. On all but two of the outcome variables, the incremental savings per incremental effect for the resistance exercise group was greater than for the aerobic exercise group.


CONCLUSIONS
The data obtained from this study suggest that, compared with an education control, resistance training for seniors with knee osteoarthritis is more economically efficient than aerobic exercise in improving physical function. However, the magnitude of the difference in efficiency between the two approaches is small.
Sevick
M A
MA
Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. msevick@wfubmc.edu
Bradham
D D
DD
Muender
M
M
Chen
G J
GJ
Enarson
C
C
Dailey
M
M
Ettinger
W H
WH
D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014891:Weight Lifting