Cost-effectiveness analysis
We conducted a cost-benefit analysis from a societal perspective to determine the costs required for group rehabilitation training compared to traditional rehabilitation. We estimated the value of the following resources: medical services, transportation to and from health care facilities, time spent by family and friends in caring for the patient, and time spent by the patient in receiving treatment and so on. And questionnaire surveys and telephone follow-up were conducted to assess the cost effectiveness.(a) Questionnaire survey: We designed a questionnaire containing questions related to the objectives of the study, including participants’ personal information, study involvement duration and cost, as well as their perceptions and experiences with the research. The questionnaire was distributed to participants either online or in paper format for convenient completion, and then returned to us. (b) Telephone follow-up: The participants were interviewed via telephone and asked a series of questions related to the study. Their responses were carefully recorded in order to gain deeper insights into their perceptions and experiences regarding the research. The outcome of the cost-effectiveness analysis is represented by the incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER), That is, the ratio of the difference between the relative costs and outputs of an intervention and a control. The ICER represents the cost of the intervention required, on average, to achieve an incremental unit of effect compared to the control strategy.