Cost-Effectiveness of Internet-Delivered Emotion Regulation Therapy for Adolescents With Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Within-Trial Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, as well as suicidal behavior. Current treatments are resource-intensive and may not be accessible to all adolescents with NSSI. Internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents (IERITA) with NSSI disorder is a promising treatment option, but its cost-effectiveness is unknown. Objective This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of IERITA for adolescents with NSSI disorder. Methods Within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomized controlled trial at three child and adolescent mental health services in Sweden (n=166). A total of 12 weeks of IERITA plus treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU only were compared. The primary outcome was the frequency of NSSI at 1-month posttreatment. Secondary outcomes were NSSI remission and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results IERITA led to reductions in NSSI frequency, a higher proportion of participants with NSSI remission, and more QALYs at 1-month posttreatment, at additional health care costs of US $3663 (95% CI US $2182-$5002) and societal costs of US $4458 (95% CI US $−577 to $9509). The incremental cost of one additional NSSI remission at 1-month posttreatment was US $18,677, and the incremental cost per QALY gained was US $792,244 for IERITA+TAU relative to TAU. IERITA had an 8% probability of being cost-effective at a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of US $84,000 for one QALY at 1-month posttreatment, which increased to 18% at 3-months posttreatment. Conclusions IERITA delivered adjunctive to TAU led to improvements in NSSI frequency, remission, and QALYs, at additional costs compared to TAU only. This study provides an estimate of the additional cost of delivering IERITA; however, future studies should include longer follow-up periods to better assess the magnitude of the effects on QALYs and societal costs.