Computer-based Self-Help Program for People With Gambling Problems

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Gambling, Pathologic

• Registration Number: NCT03372226
• Lead Sponsor: Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Brief 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.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-12-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-12-12
• Study First Posted: 2017-12-13
• Study Start: 2018-01-18
• Primary Completion: 2018-12-09
• Study Completion: 2018-12-09
• Status Verified: 2019-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-04-28
• Last Update Posted: 2019-04-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 155

Inclusion Criteria

• informed consent
• access to internet
• adequate usage of German language
• willingness to participate in two short (25-30 minutes) online surveys
• willingness to use the online program over a period of 8 weeks (participants that do not use the program are also included in the analysis)
• willingness to leave an (anonymous) email-address
• existence of the wish to receive treatment

Exclusion Criteria

• existence of a lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• existence of an acute suicidal tendency (assessed with item 9 of the PHQ-9, ≥3)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pathological Gambling Adaptation of Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (PG-Y-BOCS)	1 week	The total score consists of ten items that measure the severity of gambling symptoms within the past week. The first five questions assess urges and thoughts associated with gambling, whereas the last five questions assess the behavioral component of the disorder. The sum score of each subscale ranges from 0-20. Each subscale can be analyzed separately as well as together as a total score (primary outcome). The total score can be interpreted as follows: 0-7 sub-clinical, 8-15 mild, 16-23 moderate, 24-31 severe and 32-40 extreme gambling symptoms.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 depression module (PHQ-9)	1 week	The Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 depression module is a self-rating measure of depressive symptom severity. The psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 are very good, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .86 - .89; Kroenke, Spitzer, \& Williams, 2001). Its sum score ranges from 0 to 27, with scores from 0-4 indicating minimal depression, 5-9 mild depression, 10-14 moderate depression and 15-27 severe depression.
Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (GABS)	time of assessment	The GABS is a self-report questionnaire which explores gambling-related dysfunctional beliefs. In this study, we use a 15-item version of the GABS. Responses can be given on a four-point Likert scale (from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree').
South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)	6 months	20-items self-report measure to screen for engagement in gambling activities and gambling-related problems. A score between 0-2 corresponds to non-problematic gambling, a score of 3-4 to at-risk gambling, and a score of 5-20 to probable pathological gambling.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; 🇩🇪 Hamburg, Germany