TY - JOUR

T1 - A health economic outcome evaluation of an internet-based mobile-supported stress management intervention for employees

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

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2018, Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health. All rights reserved.

PY - 2018/2

Y1 - 2018/2

N2 - 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. 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). Results The CBA yielded a net-benefit of €181 [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 €0, €1000, €2000 for one additional symptom free employee yielded a 67%, 90%, and 98% probability, respectively, of the intervention being cost-effective compared to the WLC. 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.

AB - 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. 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). Results The CBA yielded a net-benefit of €181 [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 €0, €1000, €2000 for one additional symptom free employee yielded a 67%, 90%, and 98% probability, respectively, of the intervention being cost-effective compared to the WLC. 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.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - CBT

KW - cost-benefit analysis

KW - cost-effectiveness analysis

KW - e-health

KW - economic evaluation

KW - internet-based intervention

KW - m-health

KW - randomized controlled trial

KW - RCT

KW - stress

KW - stress management

KW - stress management intervention

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042179632&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.5271/sjweh.3691

DO - 10.5271/sjweh.3691

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 29144535

VL - 44

SP - 171

EP - 182

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

SN - 0355-3140

IS - 2

ER -