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Published on: August 1, 2019
Economic evaluation of online computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy without support for depression in primary
S A H Gerhards1, L E de Graaf, L E Jacobs
1Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. S.Gerhards@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Background:
Evidence about the cost-effectiveness and cost utility of computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy (CCBT) is still limited. Recently, we compared the clinical effectiveness of unsupported, online CCBT with treatment as usual (TAU) and a combination of CCBT and TAU (CCBT plus TAU) for depression. The study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register, part of the Dutch Cochrane Centre (ISRCTN47481236).
Aims:
To assess the cost-effectiveness of CCBT compared with TAU and CCBT plus TAU.
Method:
Costs, depression severity and quality of life were measured for 12 months. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were performed from a societal perspective. Uncertainty was dealt with by bootstrap replications and sensitivity analyses.
Results:
Costs were lowest for the CCBT group. There are no significant group differences in effectiveness or quality of life. Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses tend to be in favour of CCBT.
Conclusions:
On balance, CCBT constitutes the most efficient treatment strategy, although all treatments showed low adherence rates and modest improvements in depression and quality of life.
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