Estimating the Economic Value of Supported Online Parent-Led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Prevent Child Anxiety Problems: Economic Evaluation of the MYCATS Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
Shuye Yu, Tessa Reardon, Obioha C Ukoumunne et al.
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In 30 seconds
This economic evaluation alongside the MYCATS parallel-group, superiority cluster randomised trial assessed supported online parent-led cognitive behavioural therapy (OSI+TS) plus usual school practice versus usual school practice alone. The trial included 865 children aged 4-7 years at risk of anxiety, identified through screening across 95 English schools. At 12 months, OSI+TS was associated with additional gains of 0.021 QALYs using the UK value set and 0.043 QALYs using the Australia value set, at an additional cost of £244.16. The corresponding ICERs were £11,462.47 and £5,700.98 per QALY gained.
Key findings
- OSI+TS yielded 0.021 QALYs (95% CI 0.010-0.033; P <.001) using the UK value set and 0.043 QALYs (95% CI 0.021-0.064; P <.001) using the Australia value set.
- The additional cost was £244.16, producing ICERs of £11,462.47 and £5,700.98 per QALY gained, respectively.
- At the £20,000 threshold, the estimated probability of cost-effectiveness was 88.2% with the UK value set and 99.3% with the Australia value set.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that a supported, parent-led digital intervention may offer health gains at a cost below the stated UK NICE threshold for children identified as at risk of anxiety. Economic evidence can inform decisions about whether to incorporate preventive support into school-linked services, while the results depend on the valuation method used for child quality of life.
What to keep in mind
The economic evaluation was conducted alongside a trial in primary or infant schools in England, and its primary analysis was limited to 12 months after randomisation.