Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of Internet-based treatment for adults with depressive symptoms: Randomized Trial

Background: the effectiveness of internet-based treatments for depression has been demonstrated; their cost-effectiveness,however,has been less well researched. objective: evaluating the relative cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of (1) internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy,(2) internet-based problem-solving therapy,and (3) a waiting list for adults with depressive symptoms. methods: a total of 263 participants with clinically significant depressive symptoms were randomized to internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (n = 88),internet-based problem-solving therapy (n = 88),and a waiting list (n = 87). end points were evaluated at the 12-week follow-up. results: cost-utility analysis showed that cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy had a 52% and 61% probability respectively of being more acceptable than waiting when the willingness to pay is € 30,000 for one quality-adjusted life-year. when society is prepared to pay € 10,000 for a clinically significant change from depression,the probabilities of cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy being more acceptable than waiting are 91% and 89%,respectively. comparing both internet-based treatments showed no clear preference for one or the other of the treatments. conclusions: both internet-based treatments have a high probability of being cost-effective with a modest value placed on clinically significant change in depressive symptoms.