Effectiveness and Cost Offset Analysis of Group CBT for Hypochondriasis Delivered in a Psychiatric Setting: An Open Trial
Abstract
Hypochondriasis is highly prevalent in medical settings, has detrimental effects for affected individuals, and is associated with high societal costs. Although cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of hypochondriasis, it is not widely available because of a lack of properly trained therapists. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate therapy forms that require less therapist time. The authors investigated the effect and economic impact of group CBT delivered in a psychiatric setting among 24 people with hypochondriasis. A within-group design with prolonged baseline was used, and all participants received 10 weeks of group-based treatment. The primary outcome measures were the Health Anxiety Inventory and the Illness Attitude Scales. Results indicate significant improvement on both measures at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up (Cohen's d = 1.03-1.72). Medical and nonmedical costs were substantially lowered. The authors conclude that group-based CBT delivered in a psychiatric setting is an effective and potentially highly cost-effective treatment for hypochondriasis.
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All self-report measures used in the study were completed online, a method with demonstrated validity.
“All self-report measures used in the study were completed online (a method with demonstrated validity28).”
From Emotion regulation group therapy for deliberate self-harm: A multi-site evaluation in routine care using an uncontrolled open trial design (2017) · cites this paper as [28]
The treatment protocol was validated in a trial investigating the effects of group CBT for severe health anxiety.
“The treatment protocol was developed by our research group and it has been validated in a trial investigating the effects of group CBT for severe health anxiety [34].”
From Mediators in Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Severe Health Anxiety (2013) · cites this paper as [34]
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- Authors
- Hedman, E., Ljótsson, B., Andersson, E., Rück, C., Andersson, G., & Lindefors, N.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Linköping University (SE)
- Venue
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-12
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 239-250
- ISSN
- 1650-6073 (ISSN-L)
- 1651-2316
- OpenAlex
- W1998466339
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Trimbos-instituut
- Stockholms Läns Landsting
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- health anxiety, group cognitive behavioral therapy, cost-effectiveness, psychiatric treatment, attitudes toward illness, health care costs
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Attitude to Health, Female, Humans, Hypochondriasis, Male, Middle Aged, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Personality Inventory, Psychotherapy, Group, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Health Care Costs
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