OBJECTIVES: The recovery of motor function is a primary goal for individuals diagnosed with neurological disease, such as Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Various rehabilitation methods have been used in neurorehabilitation hospital, including conventional training and those involving technological devices. In addition to rehabilitation devices, such as robotic-assisted and virtual reality systems, the integration of home automation system may play a crucial role in monitoring and recording patient movements. The study evaluated the economic and clinical performance of motor neurorehabilitation technologies by integrating virtual reality and robotic rehabilitation devices with a home-automation system for group therapy (2-3 patients:1 physiotherapist) in comparison to individual rehab services (1 patient:1 physiotherapist)

METHODS: A micro-costing analysis, based on costs of the Italian healthcare system, was performed to identify the costs of development of the new AI technology and a productivity analysis in terms of eligible patients treated of 1:1 ratio (1 patient:1 physiotherapist ratio) as it is the current status in comparison to (2-3 patients:1 physiotherapist) with the new AI technology.

RESULTS: The new technology seems to be a cost-saving option in the 1 physiotherapist – 2 and 3 patients ratio, since it improves both productivity and provides economies of scale. More specifically, the per patient Ratio 1 cost €84,62, the Ratio 2 €64,57 and the Ratio 3 €57,33 per session versus the currently used technology of €74,89. Almost in all cases, HosmartAI technology is a cost-saving option with greater clinical results in all clinical parameters (motor and functional) as well as in patients’ quality of life and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS: AI could automate parts of the process providing improved accuracy, with less human resources, resulting in savings for the healthcare systems.