scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural therapy as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for treatment-resistant depression in primary care: economic evaluation of the CoBalT Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 204 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Hollinghurst ◽  
Fran E. Carroll ◽  
Anna Abel ◽  
John Campbell ◽  
Anne Garland ◽  
...  

BackgroundDepression is expensive to treat, but providing ineffective treatment is more expensive. Such is the case for many patients who do not respond to antidepressant medication.AimsTo assess the cost-effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) plus usual care for primary care patients with treatment-resistant depression compared with usual care alone.MethodEconomic evaluation at 12 months alongside a randomised controlled trial. Cost-effectiveness assessed using a cost-consequences framework comparing cost to the health and social care provider, patients and society, with a range of outcomes. Cost-utility analysis comparing health and social care costs with quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).ResultsThe mean cost of CBT per participant was £910. The difference in QALY gain between the groups was 0.057, equivalent to 21 days a year of good health. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £14 911 (representing a 74% probability of the intervention being cost-effective at the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence threshold of £20 000 per QALY). Loss of earnings and productivity costs were substantial but there was no evidence of a difference between intervention and control groups.ConclusionsThe addition of CBT to usual care is cost-effective in patients who have not responded to antidepressants. Primary care physicians should therefore be encouraged to refer such individuals for CBT.

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1825-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Duarte ◽  
S. Walker ◽  
E. Littlewood ◽  
S. Brabyn ◽  
C. Hewitt ◽  
...  

BackgroundComputerized cognitive–behavioural therapy (cCBT) forms a core component of stepped psychological care for depression. Existing evidence for cCBT has been informed by developer-led trials. This is the first study based on a large independent pragmatic trial to assess the cost-effectiveness of cCBT as an adjunct to usual general practitioner (GP) care compared with usual GP care alone and to establish the differential cost-effectiveness of a free-to-use cCBT programme (MoodGYM) in comparison with a commercial programme (Beating the Blues) in primary care.MethodCosts were estimated from a healthcare perspective and outcomes measured using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over 2 years. The incremental cost-effectiveness of each cCBT programme was compared with usual GP care. Uncertainty was estimated using probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analyses were performed to assess the robustness of results.ResultsNeither cCBT programme was found to be cost-effective compared with usual GP care alone. At a £20 000 per QALY threshold, usual GP care alone had the highest probability of being cost-effective (0.55) followed by MoodGYM (0.42) and Beating the Blues (0.04). Usual GP care alone was also the cost-effective intervention in the majority of scenario analyses. However, the magnitude of the differences in costs and QALYs between all groups appeared minor (and non-significant).ConclusionsTechnically supported cCBT programmes do not appear any more cost-effective than usual GP care alone. No cost-effective advantage of the commercially developed cCBT programme was evident compared with the free-to-use cCBT programme. Current UK practice recommendations for cCBT may need to be reconsidered in the light of the results.


2004 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McCrone ◽  
Martin Knapp ◽  
Judith Proudfoot ◽  
Clash Ryden ◽  
Kate Cavanagh ◽  
...  

BackgroundCognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for treating anxiety and depression in primary care, but there is a shortage of therapists. Computer-delivered treatment may be a viable alternative.AimsTo assess the cost-effectiveness of computer-delivered CBT.MethodA sample of people with depression or anxiety were randomised to usual care (n= 128) or computer-delivered CBT (n= 146). Costs were available for 123 and 138 participants, respectively. Costs and depression scores were combined using the net benefit approach.ResultsService costs were £40 (90% CI-£28 to £148) higher over 8 months for computer-delivered CBT. Lost-employment costs were £407 (90% CI £196 to £586) less for this group. Valuing a 1-unit improvement on the Beck Depression Inventory at £40, there is an 81% chance that computer-delivered CBT is cost-effective, and it revealed a highly competitive cost per quality-adjusted life year.ConclusionsComputer-delivered CBT has a high probability of being cost-effective, even if a modest value is placed on unit improvements in depression.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apostolos Tsiachristas ◽  
Felicity Waite ◽  
Daniel Freeman ◽  
Ramon Luengo-Fernandez

BackgroundSleep problems are pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but there are no clinical guidelines for their treatment. The Better Sleep Trial (BEST) concluded that suitably adapted cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is likely to be highly effective, although its cost-effectiveness is unknown.AimsTo assess the potential cost-effectiveness of CBT for sleep disorders in patients with schizophrenia.MethodAn economic evaluation of the BEST study with a 6-month time horizon was used to establish the cost-effectiveness of CBT plus usual care in terms of costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Uncertainty was displayed on cost-effectiveness planes and acceptability curves. Value of information analysis was performed to estimate the benefits of obtaining further evidence.ResultsOn average, the treatment led to a 0.035 QALY gain (95% CI −0.016 to 0.084), and £1524 (95% CI −10 529 to 4736) and £1227 (95% CI −10 395 to 5361) lower costs from National Health Service and societal perspectives, respectively. The estimated value of collecting more information about the effects of the CBT on costs and QALYs was approximately £87 million.ConclusionsCBT for insomnia in people with schizophrenia is effective and potentially cost-effective. A larger trial is needed to provide clear evidence about its cost-effectiveness.RelevancePatients with schizophrenia have multiple complex health needs, as well as very high rates of depression, suicidal ideation and poor physical health. The results of this study showed that treating pervasive sleep problems in this patient group with cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is very likely to improve patient quality of life in the short term. Clinicians most commonly use hypnotic medication to treat sleeping disorders. This study indicates that CBT may be an effective and cost-effective intervention in this patient group. This alternative would also be aligned with patient preferences for psychological and behavioural-type therapy.Declaration of interestNone.


2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola J Wiles ◽  
Sandra Hollinghurst ◽  
Victoria Mason ◽  
Meyrem Musa ◽  
Victoria Burt ◽  
...  

AbstractNo randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depressed patients who have not responded to antidepressants, yet CBT is often reserved for this group. We conducted a pilot study for a pragmatic RCT of the clinical effectiveness of CBT as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in primary care based patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). Patients on antidepressants for at least 6 weeks were mailed a study invitation by their GP. Those who consented to contact were mailed a questionnaire. TRD was defined as compliance with medication (self-report) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) ≥ 15. Those who met ICD-10 depression criteria were eligible for randomization and followed after 4 months. Of 440 patients mailed, 65% responded and 72% consented to contact. Ninety-four percent completed the questionnaire and 82 patients (42%) had TRD. Thirty were subsequently identified as ineligible and 10 did not participate further. Twenty-six of the remaining 42 patients met ICD-10 depression criteria and 25 agreed to being randomized. Twenty-three patients completed the 4-month follow-up questionnaire. Recruitment into a RCT to examine the effectiveness of CBT as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in primary care based patients with TRD appears feasible and should now be conducted.


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