PhD defence Sander Leon Osstyn

Keywords: Dementia care, Informal caregiving, Health-economic evaluation, Psychosocial interventions

"From Burden to Balance: Health-economic Evaluations of Interventions in Dementia and Acquired Brain Injury Care and Reflections on Methodological Transparency"

This thesis examined how support programs can help people affected by neurological conditions and whether these programs provide good value for the resources they require. The research focused on two groups: people with acquired brain injury and family caregivers of people with dementia. These groups often experience emotional, practical, and financial challenges, while healthcare systems increasingly rely on effective and affordable support.

The thesis evaluated two interventions. The first was BrainACT, a therapy program designed to help people with acquired brain injury cope with anxiety and depressive symptoms. The second was Partner in Balance, a blended online and face-to-face self-management program that supports family caregivers of people with early-stage dementia.

Using data from clinical studies, the research assessed both the effectiveness of these programs and their costs. In addition, the thesis reflects on how health-economic studies can be reported more transparently. The findings aim to support researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in making better-informed decisions about supportive care.

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