Epub: Humphreys et al. Cost-effectiveness of an adjustment group for people with multiple sclerosis and low mood: a randomized trial. Clin Rehabil. 2013 Jul.
Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a psychological adjustment group shown to be clinically effective in comparison with usual care for MSers.
Design: Randomized controlled trial with comparison of costs and calculation of incremental cost effectiveness ratio.
Participants: MSers were screened on the General Health Questionnaire 12 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and those with low mood were recruited.
Interventions: Participants randomly allocated to the adjustment group received six group treatment sessions. The control group received usual care, which did not include psychological interventions.
Main measures: Outcomes were assessed four and eight months after randomization, blind to group allocation. The costs were assessed from a service use questionnaire and information provided on medication. Quality of life was assessed using the EQ-5D.
Conclusion: In the short term, the adjustment group programme was cost effective when compared with usual care, for MSers presenting with low mood.
For what it's worth, the most helpful psychological intervention I had was being in your clinic and hearing (..really hearing) what you had to say. It was the turning point and spurred me on to go for counselling and antidepressants and to start taking back control of my life. Prior to coming to your clinic I had been seen locally by a neuro whose words/attitude were so destructive that I went into a tailspin. To this day I am convinced it was that experience which brought on a major relapse 48 hours later (fortunately nothing major since then thanks to good care,). All psychological inputs are, in my book, secondary to the importance of a good clinical team. So, ten years on, my thanks again. (And THANK GOODNESS to the GP who referred me!)