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Hedman-Lagerlof M, Hedman-Lagerlof E, Buhrman M, et al. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of exposure-based vs. traditional cognitive behavior therapy for fibromyalgia: Results from a randomized controlled trial. J Pain. 2025 May;30:105375. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105375. Epub 2025 Mar 17. (Original study)
Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with significant economic costs. Given the limited availability of effective and accessible treatments, it is crucial to develop and assess the cost-effectiveness of new interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of online exposure therapy (EXP-CBT) versus online traditional CBT (T-CBT) for FM. We analyzed health economic data from a randomized controlled trial in which 274 participants with FM were assigned to either EXP-CBT or T-CBT. The time horizon was 15 months, and treatment effectiveness relative to costs was evaluated from both a societal perspective (direct and indirect costs) and a health care perspective (direct medical costs only). Bootstrapped net benefit regression analyses were conducted to compare cost and effect differences between EXP-CBT and T-CBT under various willingness-to-pay scenarios. The results showed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was -1477/0.09 = -$16,884 from the societal perspective, indicating that EXP-CBT was cost-effective. Each additional successfully treated case (treatment responder) in EXP-CBT compared to T-CBT was associated with lower costs and there was a 69% probability of EXP-CBT being cost-effective even at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $0. The cost-utility analysis resulted in an estimate of -1477/0.05 = -$28,763, also here with an 69% probability of EXP-CBT being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $0. There were no significant differences in total costs or effectiveness between EXP-CBT and T-CBT. In conclusion, online exposure therapy may be a cost-effective alternative to online traditional CBT, but there appears to be no marked cost- or effect differences between the two treatments. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a cost-effectiveness evaluation of online exposure therapy compared to online traditional CBT for fibromyalgia. Results indicate that online exposure therapy may be cost-effective compared to online traditional CBT. However, as there were no marked cost- or effect differences between the treatments, results should be interpreted with caution.

Ratings
Discipline Area Score
Psychologist 6 / 7
Physician 5 / 7
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Psychologist rater

These results are expected.
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