The Cost-Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Training for Patients with Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group training compared with a wait-list control for patients with unexplained physical symptoms (UPS). Methods: A probabilistic decision-analytic Markov model was developed with three health states (poor health, average health, and death) based on a cutoff score of the Physical Component Summary of the short-form 36 health survey. To assess the cost-effectiveness in terms of cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY), a societal perspective was adopted. The model consisted of cycles of 3 months and a time horizon of 4 years. Data for the model were derived from a randomized controlled trial, in which 162 patients with UPS were randomized either to cognitive-behavioral group training or to the wait-list control. Data were assessed at baseline and after the training of 3 months or after a wait list period of 3 months. In addition, the training group was followed in an uncontrolled phase and assessed at 3 months and 1 year after the training. Results: After 4 years, the group training was in terms of cost-effectiveness "dominant" compared with the wait-list control; there was a positive effect of 0.06 QALYs and a (sic)828 reduction in costs. The cost-effectiveness improved with a longer time horizon. A threshold of (sic)30,000/QALY was passed after 18 months. The group training was cost saving after 33 months. Conclusions: Cognitive-behavioral group training is a cost-effective treatment compared with the wait-list control for patients with UPS. Copyright (C) 2015, International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc.