Computer-based Self-Help Program for People With Gambling Problems
Condition: Gambling, Pathologic
MeSH terms: Gambling
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study examines the effectiveness of a computer-based self-help-program for individuals
      with problematic or pathological gambling behavior.The main objective of the study is to
      investigate the extent to which the online program leads to a significant reduction in
      pathological gambling (primary outcome), depression and gambling-specific dysfunctional
      thoughts. The program is expected to lead to a significant reduction regarding all measures
      when compared to a control group. The study is conducted as a randomized-controlled trial
      with one intervention group and one wait-list control group.
    

Detailed description: 
      The study examines the effectiveness of a computer-based self-help-program for individuals
      with problematic and pathological gambling behavior. The main objective of the study is to
      investigate the extent to which the online program leads to a significant reduction in
      pathological gambling. The primary outcome is the PG-Y-BOCS as a measure of the severity of
      pathological gambling symptoms. Secondary outcomes are rates of depression, measured with the
      PHQ-9 as well as gambling-specific cognitive biases, measured with the GABS. The program is
      expected to lead to a significant reduction in problematic/pathological gambling behavior
      (PG-Y-BOCS) and also to declines in both depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and gambling-specific
      cognitive biases (GABS). The study is conducted as a randomized-controlled trial with one
      intervention group and one wait-list control group. The intervention group receives the login
      data directly following the baseline survey and can use the program over a period of 8 weeks,
      whereas the wait-list control group receives access to the program after completion of the
      post-survey.
    

Intervention name(s): Online self-help program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The program consists of 10 modules with many interactional exercises and homework-sheets. Themes that are addressed in the online-program are for example self-esteem, sleep hygiene, problem solving strategies, mindfulness-based relaxation and attention exercises as well as gambling-specific topics such as money/debt management and impulse control. In addition, the user learns to modify negative and gambling-specific thought distortions, to integrate positive activities into his/her daily routine, strategies to deal with the urge to play as well as ways to regulate debts and to prevent relapse.
Other intervention name(s): Neustart
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The study is a randomly controlled study with 2 conditions: Condition 1: Online Intervention Program (treatment of emotional and gambling-related symptoms), condition 2: Wait-list control group (access to the online program after the post-assessment).
Two assessments-points, the intervention period (pre-post) is eight weeks. At both measuring points sociodemographic and pathological data are obtained with an internet survey on Unipark®.
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Gambling; Problematic Gambling; Pathological Gambling