Trial-based economic evaluation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared to treatment as usual for bipolar disorder

ObjectiveAim 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).MethodsAn 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.ResultsPeople with BD (N = 144) were included in this study. From a societal perspective, the difference of total costs between MBCT + TAU and TAU was euro615, 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 (-euro836; 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.ConclusionConcludingly, 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.

Automated summary

The cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and treatment as usual (TAU) were assessed in adults with Bipolar disorder (BD) compared to TAU alone. The study found that MBCT + TAU had lower total costs and only significant differences in healthcare costs compared to TAU. Furthermore, MBCT + TAU showed small differences in QALYs and costs, resulting in a dominant incremental cost-utility ratio. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the base case analyses.