Trial-based economic evaluation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared to treatment as usual for bipolar disorder.
Ben Wijnen, Maud Jansen, Annelieke Van Velthoven, Imke Hanssen, Marloes J. Huijbers, Silvia Evers, Anne E. M. Speckens
International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research September 12, 2023 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1981 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Economic evaluation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 144 |
| Population | Adults with bipolar disorder |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Treatment as usual |
| Duration | 15-month time horizon |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Bipolar disorder Cost-benefit analysis Quality-adjusted life years |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Adding MBCT to treatment as usual for bipolar disorder appears cost-effective, with lower costs and a small gain in QALYs compared to treatment as usual alone. |
Abstract
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). 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. 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. 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.