Economic Evaluation of a Web-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Employees With Depressive Symptoms: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a Web-based guided intervention compared with care as usual for employees with depressive symptoms.


METHODS
A total of 231 employees with depressive symptoms were randomized. Data were collected at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Analyses were conducted from the societal and employer's perspective.


RESULTS
At 12 months, a significant intervention effect on depressive symptoms was found. At a willingness to pay of 0 (€/unit of effect), the intervention's probabilities of cost-effectiveness were 0.62 (societal perspective) and 0.55 (employer's perspective). There was a 0.63 probability that the intervention resulted in a positive financial return for the employer.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention's cost-effectiveness with regard to depressive symptoms depends on the willingness to pay of societal and company decision makers as well as the probability of cost-effectiveness that they consider acceptable. The intervention is not cost-saving to the employer.
From the Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research (Drs Geraedts, Kleiboer, and Cuijpers), VU University Amsterdam; Body@Work Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health (Drs Geraedts, Kleiboer, Wiezer, van Mechelen, and Cuijpers), TNO-VU-VUmc, Amsterdam; Department of Health Sciences and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research (Drs van Dongen and Bosmans), VU University Amsterdam; TNO (Dr Wiezer), Hoofddorp; and Department of Public and Occupational Health Psychology and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research (Dr van Mechelen), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Anna S
AS
Geraedts
Johanna M
JM
van Dongen
Annet M
AM
Kleiboer
Noortje M
NM
Wiezer
Willem
W
van Mechelen
Pim
P
Cuijpers
Judith E
JE
Bosmans
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012648:Self Care