TY - JOUR T1 - A health economic outcome evaluation of an internet-based mobile-supported stress management intervention for employees JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2018/3VL - 44 IS - 2 SP - 171 EP - 182 AU - Ebert, David Daniel AU - Kählke, Fanny AU - Buntrock, Claudia AU - Berking, Matthias AU - Smit, Filip AU - Heber, Elena AU - Baumeister, Harald AU - Funk, Burkhardt AU - Riper, Heleen AU - Lehr, Dirk M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3691 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3691 KW - CBT KW - cost-benefit analysis KW - cost-effectiveness analysis KW - e-health KW - economic evaluation KW - evaluation KW - internet-based intervention KW - m-health KW - randomized controlled trial KW - RCT KW - stress KW - stress management KW - stress management intervention N2 - '

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OBJECTIVE ': 'This study aimed to estimate and evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of a guided internet- and mobile-supported occupational stress-management intervention (iSMI) for employees from the employer’s perspective alongside a randomized controlled trial.

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METHODS ': 'A sample of 264 employees with elevated symptoms of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10 ≥22) was randomly assigned either to the iSMI or a waitlist control (WLC) group with unrestricted access to treatment as usual. The iSMI consisted of seven sessions of problem-solving and emotion-regulation techniques and one booster session. Self-report data on symptoms of perceived stress and economic data were assessed at baseline, and at six months following randomization. A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) with symptom-free status as the main outcome from the employer’s perspective was carried out. Statistical uncertainty was estimated using bootstrapping (N=5000).

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RESULTS ': 'The CBA yielded a net-benefit of EUR181 [95% confidence interval (CI) -6043–1042] per participant within the first six months following randomization. CEA showed that at a willingness-to-pay ceiling of EUR0, EUR1000, EUR2000 for one additional symptom free employee yielded a 67%, 90%, and 98% probability, respectively, of the intervention being cost-effective compared to the WLC.

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CONCLUSION ': 'The iSMI was cost-effective when compared to WLC and even lead to cost savings within the first six months after randomization. Offering stress-management interventions can present good value for money in occupational healthcare.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -