Effects of Internet-based Treatment of Pathological Gambling

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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A trial testing the outcome of an Internet-based treatment of pathological gambling with the hypothesis that there will be improvements both immediately and up to 36 months. It is also hypnotized that treatment response can be predicted from background variables.

Official Title
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Prediction and Treatment Outcome of Internet-based Treatment of Pathological Gambling With Three-year Follow-up

Conditions
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Pathological Gambling

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: cognitive behavior therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Pathological gambling according to DSM and having gambled at least once the past month Being atleast 18 years old Living in Sweden Exclusion Criteria:

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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>The treatment was based on established cognitive behavior therapy methods, as described in self-help books (Hodgins, 2002; Ladouceur & Lachance, 2006). The text was divided into eight modules and was adapted for Internet use. The first four modules had a motivational interviewing focus and included building motivation for change by letting the participant answer open-ended questions that would evoke talk of change. The participants were encouraged to ask for input from their relatives on different aspects of their gambling. In addition, the first four modules included time line follow-back and mapping of the reasons for gambling. The remaining four modules were based on CBT. Each module included information and exercises and ended with three to eight essay-style questions. Feedback on homework assignments was usually given within 24 hr after participants had sent their answers via e-mail. Once weekly, a telephone call was made by the therapists to each participant. | Behavioral: cognitive behavior therapy<br>* The treatment was based on established cognitive behavior therapy methods, as described in self-help books (Hodgins, 2002; Ladouceur & Lachance, 2006). The text was divided into eight modules and was adapted for Internet use. The first four modules had a motivational interviewing focus and included building motivation for change by letting the participant answer open-ended questions that would evoke talk of change. The participants were encouraged to ask for input from their relatives on different aspects of their gambling. In addition, the first four modules included time line follow-back and mapping of the reasons for gambling. The remaining four modules were based on CBT. Each module included information and exercises and ended with three to eight essay-style questions. Feedback on homework assignments was usually given within 24 hr after participants had sent their answers via e-mail. Once weekly, a telephone call was made by the therapists to each participant.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) |  | 1 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale |  | 1 week | 
| Quality of Life Inventory |  | Present moment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pathological gambling according to DSM and having gambled at least once the past month., Being atleast 18 years old