Trial-based economic evaluation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared to treatment as usual for bipolar disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) combined with treatment as usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone in adults with Bipolar Disorder (BD).
Results Summary
MBCT + TAU showed lower total costs and a small but favorable difference in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to TAU alone, resulting in a dominant incremental cost-utility ratio. The probability of MBCT + TAU being cost-effective was 65%, with sensitivity analyses supporting the robustness of these findings.
Population
Adults with Bipolar Disorder (N = 144).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
15 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | decrease | total costs | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | €615 | lower costs | #1 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | decrease | healthcare costs | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | - | differed significantly | #2 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | increase | quality adjusted life years (QALYs) | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | - | small difference in favor | #3 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | decrease | costs | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | -€836 | lower costs | #4 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | decrease | cost-utility | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | - | dominant incremental cost-utility ratio | #5 |
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) | increase | cost-effectiveness | adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) | 65% probability | cost-effective | #6 |
OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone in adults with Bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: An economic evaluation with a time horizon of 15 months was conducted from a societal perspective. Outcomes were expressed in costs per quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs per responder using the inventory of depressive symptomatology clinician rating score. RESULTS: People with BD (N = 144) were included in this study. From a societal perspective, the difference of total costs between MBCT + TAU and TAU was €615, with lower costs in the MBCT + TAU group. Only healthcare costs differed significantly between the two groups. A small difference in QALYs in favor of MBCT + TAU was found combined with lower costs (-€836; baseline adjusted) for MBCT + TAU compared to TAU, resulting in a dominant incremental cost-utility ratio. The probability that the MBCT + TAU was cost-effective was 65%. All sensitivity analyses attested to the robustness of the base case analyses. CONCLUSION: Concludingly, MBCT + TAU seems to be cost-effective compared to TAU alone, indicated by a small or neglectable difference in effect, in favor of MBCT + TAU, while resulting in lower costs.