Physical activity with person-centered guidance supported by a digital platform or with telephone follow-up for persons with chronic widespread pain: Health economic considerations along a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aim was to investigate the resource use and costs associated with the co-creation of a physical activity plan for persons with chronic widespread pain (CWP) followed by support through a digital platform, compared to telephone follow-up. Methods In this 12-month cost comparison study following up results after a randomized controlled trial, individuals with CWP, aged 20–65 years, were recruited at primary healthcare units in Western Sweden. All participants developed a person-centered health-enhancing physical activity plan together with a physiotherapist. Participants were then randomized to either an intervention group (n  =  69) who had a follow-up visit after 2 weeks and was thereafter supported through a digital platform, or an active control group (n  =  70) that was followed up through one phone call after a month. Costs to the health system were salary costs for the time recorded by physiotherapists when delivering the interventions. Results The reported time per person (2.8 h during the 12 months) corresponded to costs of SEK 958 (range: 746–1,517) for the initial visits and follow-up (both study groups), and an additional 2.5 h (corresponding to a mean SEK 833; range: 636–1,257) for the time spent in the digital platform to support the intervention group. Conclusion After co-creation of a physical activity plan, it was more costly to support persons through a digital platform, compared to telephone follow-up.