Cost-effectiveness of classroom-based cognitive behaviour therapy in reducing symptoms of depression in adolescents: a trial-based analysis

Rob Anderson, Obioha C Ukoumunne, Kapil Sayal, Rhiannon Phillips, John A Taylor, Melissa Spears, Ricardo Araya, Glyn Lewis, Abigail Millings, Alan A Montgomery, Paul Stallard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A substantial minority of adolescents suffer from depression and it is associated with increased risk of suicide, social and educational impairment, and mental health problems in adulthood. A recently conducted randomized controlled trial in England evaluated the effectiveness of a manualized universally delivered age-appropriate CBT programme in school classrooms. The cost-effectiveness of the programme for preventing low mood and depression for all participants from a health and social care sector perspective needs to be determined.

METHODS: A trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis based on a cluster-randomized controlled trial (trial registration--ISRCTN 19083628) comparing classroom-based CBT with usual school provision of Personal Social and Health Education. Per-student cost of intervention was estimated from programme records. The study was undertaken in eight mixed-sex U.K. secondary schools, and included 3,357 school children aged 12 to 16 years (in the two trial arms evaluated in the cost-effectiveness analysis). The main outcome measures were individual self-reported data on care costs, Quality-Adjusted Life-Years (QALYs, based on the EQ-5D health-related quality-of-life instrument) and symptoms of depression (Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS: Although there was lower quality-adjusted life-years over 12 months (-.05 QALYs per person, 95% confidence interval -.09 to -.005, p = .03) with CBT, this is a 'clinically' negligible difference, which was not found in the complete case analyses. There was little evidence of any between-arm differences in SMFQ scores (0.19, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.95, p = .62), or costs (£142, 95% CI -£132 to £415, p = .31) per person for CBT versus usual school provision.

CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that the universal provision of classroom-based CBT is unlikely to be either more effective or less costly than usual school provision.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1390-1397
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of child psychology and psychiatry
Volume55
Issue number12
Early online date12 May 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • School Health Services
  • Schools
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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