A meta-analysis of voucher-based reinforcement therapy for substance use disorders.
AIMS To systematically investigate the effectiveness of voucher-based reinforcement therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders. METHODS Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for studies published between January 1991 and March 2004 that utilized voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) or related monetary-based incentives to treat substance use disorders (SUDs). FINDINGS Thirty studies involved interventions targeting abstinence from drug use using experimental designs where effects on treatment outcome could be attributed to the VBRT intervention. The estimated average effect size (r) for those studies was 0.32 (95% CI 0.26-0.38). Analyses of variables thought to moderate VBRT effect sizes revealed that more immediate voucher delivery and greater monetary value of the voucher were associated with larger effect sizes. Additional studies were identified wherein VBRT was used to target clinic attendance (n = 6) or medication compliance (n = 4). VBRT studies targeting attendance produced average effect sizes of 0.15 (95% CI 0.02-0.28), while those that targeted medication compliance produced an average effect of 0.32 (95% CI 0.15-0.47). No significant moderators were identified for these 10 studies. CONCLUSIONS Overall, VBRT generated significantly better outcomes than did control treatments. These results further support the efficacy of VBRT, quantify the magnitude of its effects, identify significant moderators and suggest potential directions for future research.
Using Choice Experiments for Non-Market Valuation
This paper provides the latest research developments in the method of choice experiments applied to valuation of non-market goods. Choice experiments, along with the, by now, well-known contingent valuation method, are very important tools for valuing non-market goods and the results are used in both cost-benefit analyses and litigations related to damage assessments. The paper should provide the reader with both the means to carry out a choice experiment and to conduct a detailed critical analysis of its performance in order to give informed advice about the results. A discussion of the underlying economic model of choice experiments is incorporated, as well as a presentation of econometric models consistent with economic theory. Furthermore, a detailed discussion on the development of a choice experiment is provided, which in particular focuses on the design of the experiment and tests of validity. Finally, a discussion on different ways to calculate welfare effects is presented.
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