Minimal and Brief Treatments for Pathological Gamblers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to examine whether problem gamblers who receive therapy calls in addition to a self-help manual will be more likely to quit or cut back on their gambling when compared with problem gamblers who receive just the manual.

Detailed Description
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With gambling becoming more accessible, the occurrence of problems related to gambling are on the rise. The costs of problem gambling are enormous.There are social and economic costs, the gambler can sometimes lose a significant relationship, job, or commit an illegal activity. Pathological gamblers are also at risk for developing a general medical condition related to stress. There is a high risk of suicide and problem gamblers also have increased rates of mental health disorders. Relatively few people choose to attend formal treatment programs so it's important to provide a range of options to make treatment more accessible. The present study examines the effectiveness of minimal and brief interventions delivered by the telephone. Comparison(s): The Workbook Only Control condition involves receiving the self-help booklet through the mail after a brief telephone assessment. The Minimal Treatment condition involves receiving the same workbook but also having a motivational enhancement intervention by telephone. The Brief Treatment condition provides the workbook, motivational enhancement, and follow-up support on six occasions spread over 36 weeks. The Wait List Control condition involves participants being assigned to a six week waiting list. Participants are assessed and after a six week waiting period they will have a reassessment at which time they will be sent the gambling self-help workbook.

Official Title
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Minimal and Brief Treatments for Pathological Gamblers: Developing Effective Treatment Systems

Conditions
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Pathological Gambling

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Self-help treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Over age 17 Perception of a gambling problem and a score of 3 or higher (moderate risk) on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. Not involved in treatment at present. Willingness to read a short book written in English as a major treatment. Willing to have telephone contacts recorded. Willing to provide follow-up data on gambling. Willing to provide the name of a collateral to help locate them for follow-up interviews. Must have gambled at least once in the past month Exclusion Criteria: Participants in the preliminary study will be excluded.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Brief self-directed treatment<br>self-help workbook plus motivational telephone intervention | Behavioral: Self-help treatment<br>* Workbook Becoming a Winner,<br>* Other names: motivational interviewing;|
| Experimental: Self-directed plus telephone support<br>Self-help workbook, motivational telephone intervention plus telephone booster calls | Behavioral: Self-help treatment<br>* Workbook Becoming a Winner,<br>* Other names: motivational interviewing;|
| Active Comparator: Workbook only<br>Workbook only | Behavioral: Self-help treatment<br>* Workbook Becoming a Winner,<br>* Other names: motivational interviewing;|
| No Intervention: Waitlist<br>Six week waitlist | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Days of Gambling |  | 3,6,9 12 months | 
| Money lost |  | 3,6,9 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gambling problem severity |  | 12 months | 
| Psychiatric symptoms |  | 12 months | 
| Self-efficacy |  | 3,6,9,12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Problem gambling, Self-help manual, Motivation enhancement, Telephone support, Treatment, Pathological gambling