Emotion Regulation Group Treatment for Gambling Disorder - a Pilot Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Group cognitive behavioral therapy for Gambling Disorder (GD) with a focus on emotion regulation - A pilot study This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and possible effectiveness of a novel treatment protocol developed within the research group including emotion regulation techniques for the treatment of GD.

Detailed Description
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The manual is based on principles from so called third wave cognitive behavioral therapy, which differs from current treatment within standard care in that focus is more on emotion regulation techniques. The treatment consists of an 8- session program delivered by weekly sessions. The study is an open trial in order to evaluate the possible benefit of components of emotion regulation in treating gambling disorder (GD). Participants with psychiatric comorbidities will be included and symptoms of comorbidities will be measured as secondary outcomes. Once included in the study the participant will be measured weekly on symptoms of gambling disorder. By increasing competencies in emotion regulation (such as active problem solving, acceptance and reappraisal of events in order to change their emotional impact) the hypothesis is that the participants will improve on measures of symptoms of GD as well as gambling expenditure in terms of time and money.

Official Title
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Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Problem Gambling With a Focus on Emotion Regulation - A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Gambling Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: CBT for problem gambling with emotion regulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Gambling Disorder according to DSM 5 Exclusion Criteria: Unable to speak and read Swedish Symptoms of manic episode Severe psychiatric condition in need of urgent care

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Open label pilot study
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: CBT for PG with emotion regulation<br>A new treatment protocol for problem gamblers, CBT for problem gambling with emotion regulation, has a focus on emotion regulation, a component that has been lacking in current published research. | Behavioral: CBT for problem gambling with emotion regulation<br>* CBT group treatment for problem gambling with emotion regulation focus, with 8 sessions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in gambling symptoms | Change in gambling symptoms will be measured by Gambling symptoms assessment scale (G-SAS) - a 12-item scale measuring symtoms of gambling disorder within the last week. Maximum score 48. Higher scores indicating more severe problems. | Pre-treatment up to 12-month followup. | 
| Change in gambling expenditure | Change in time and money spent on gambling, per week | Pre-treatment up to 12-month followup. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptoms of depression | Patient health questionnaire, PHQ-9 - measuring symtoms of depression with the last 2 weeks. Maximum score: 27. Higher scores indicating more severe problems. | PHQ-9 will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, weekly measures during the 8 weeks of treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination. | 
| Symptoms of anxiety | Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item, GAD-7.Maximum score: 21. Higher scores indicating more severe problems | GAD- 7 will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, weekly measures during the 8 weeks of treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination. | 
| WHOQOL-Bref | Measures quality of life in four domains (psychological, social, environmental and physical) | WHOQOL-Bref will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gambling disorder, psychiatric comorbidities, emotion regulation