Gambling and Brief Interventions

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling.

Detailed Description
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Gambling, if done compulsively, can cause psychological, physical, social, and vocational problems. Problem gambling, or compulsive gambling, is a progressive addiction characterized by a preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, and gambling more to make up for losses. This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy (MET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling. This open-label study will last a total of 9 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 will have no intervention and will be instructed to call if they experience any gambling problems. Group 2 will receive 5 minutes of education on the hazards of heavy gambling. In addition, they will receive a 1-page brochure on problem gambling and its consequences. Group 3 will receive a 1-hour session of MET focused on increasing commitment to change by raising awareness of personal consequences of gambling. Group 4 will receive the same MET session as Group 3, as well as three 1-hour sessions of CBT focused on identifying specific social and mood cues associated with gambling. Treatment will end at Week 4. Participants will have two follow-up sessions held over the phone at Week 6 and again 9 months after enrollment. Gambling behavior, employment status, alcohol and drug use, psychiatric problems, and family problems will be assessed.

Official Title
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Effect of Type and Duration of Therapy on Treatment for Gambling

Conditions
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Gambling

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 5 Minutes of Simple Advice
* Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
* Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Meets criteria for problem gambling Two or more gambling episodes per month for 2 months prior to enrollment Has spent at least $50 per month on gambling for 2 months prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: Any uncontrolled psychiatric conditions Severe cognitive impairment Currently receiving treatment for gambling

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: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br> | Behavioral: 5 Minutes of Simple Advice<br> <br> |
| Experimental: 2<br> | Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)<br> <br> |
| Experimental: 3<br> | Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Addiction Severity Index (ASI)-gambling severity scores |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 
| Amount spent gambling |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 
| Days gambled |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 
| Proportion meeting problem gambling criteria |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 
| Proportion abstinent |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Psychosocial functioning |  | measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Brief interventions, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy