Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41034930›Full record

ArticleChild and adolescent psychiatry and mental health2025

Cost-effectiveness analysis of preventive strategies for child anxiety and depression: a health service perspective.

Kristin D Martinsen, Eline Aas, Jo Magne Ingul, Carina Lisøy, Frode Adolfsen, Lene-Mari Rasmussen, Tore Wentzel-Larsen, Simon-Peter Neumer

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04263558 (Echo), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04263558 nacompletednot on this map

Echo: Optimizing a Group-based School Intervention for Children With Emotional Problems

TypeinterventionalSponsorRegionsenter for barn og unges psykiske helseRan2020 to 2023Enrolled1,364ConditionsAnxiety DepressionArmsEmotion child
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Kristin D MartinsenDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373, Oslo, Norway. k.d.martinsen@psykologi.uio.no.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3523-9962
Eline AasDepartment of Health Management and Health Economics, The Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Jo Magne IngulDepartment of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare (RKBU), NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Carina LisøyRegional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway.
Frode AdolfsenFaculty of Health Sciences Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare NorthUiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Lene-Mari RasmussenFaculty of Health Sciences Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare NorthUiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Tore Wentzel-LarsenRegional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway.
Simon-Peter NeumerRegional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway, Oslo, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe rising prevalence of mental health problems presents economic and social challenges with youth anxiety and depression as major contributors. While strengthening preventive measures is essential to mitigate the impacts of these conditions, limited resources necessitate careful prioritization of interventions. This underscores the need for cost-effectiveness studies to inform resource allocation and decision-making.

methodsThis study utilized data from a trial employing the MOST framework to optimize a targeted group CBT intervention for youths exhibiting anxiety and depressive symptoms. Experimental strategies were evaluated for cost-effectiveness using real-world data examining intervention costs, child mental health outcomes: anxious and depressive symptoms and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Three intervention factors were examined: delivery format (16 sessions vs. 8 sessions + 8 web-based sessions), parental involvement (five sessions vs. parental brochure), and measurement feedback system (MFS) (feedback vs. no feedback), producing eight intervention strategies. The study included 701 children aged 8 to 12, recruited from 52 public schools in 39 municipalities in Norway. Statistical analysis was conducted using R.

resultsFor depressive symptoms and QALYs, cost-effective strategies included the long in-person version with low parental involvement and no feedback, and the hybrid format (in-person + web-based sessions) with low parental involvement and no feedback. For depressive symptoms, the hybrid format with parental involvement and no feedback was a feasible strategy. For anxiety symptoms, cost-effective strategies involved the long in-person version with low parental involvement and feedback, and the hybrid format with low parental involvement and feedback. DISCUSSION: In resource-constrained environments, the least resource-intensive strategies can ensure symptom reduction at minimal cost. Parental involvement is a viable alternative under conditions of intermediate resources, balancing costs, and clinical benefits. When symptom reduction is prioritized, and cost is secondary, the long in-person format with low parental involvement and no feedback may be preferable.

conclusionThe study highlights trade-offs between cost containment, reach, and intervention effectiveness. Policymakers must weigh costs against desired levels of symptom reduction when making decisions. Trial registration number Clinical Trials NCT04263558 (Feb 11, 20, Jan 25. 21).

Indexed as

AnxietyChildrenCost effectivenessDepressionEarly interventionPrevention

Identifiers

PMID41034930
PMCPMC12486731

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.