GamblingLess: A pilot pragmatic randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an online self-help cognitive-behavioural program for gambling
- Conditions
- Problem gamblingMental Health - Addiction
- Registration Number
- ACTRN12615000864527
- Lead Sponsor
- Deakin University
- Brief Summary
The aims of this project were to develop an online self-directed cognitive behavioural program for gambling (GAMBLINGLESS. FOR LIFE.) and employ a pragmatic trial design to investigate the effectiveness of this program delivered under guided self-directed conditions compared to pure self-directed conditions. A total of 206 participants were recruited into the pragmatic trial. These participants were mostly male, less than 40 years of age, born in Australia, and employed full-time. They most commonly reported having issues with EGMs, horse, harness or greyhound racing, and sports and events betting. Almost all users (96%) were classified in the problem gambling category using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. There were no statistically significant differences between the PSD and GSD conditions on almost all outcome measures at the 8- or 12-week evaluations. However, participants in the GSD group reported a significantly greater reduction in days gambled at the 12-week evaluation, and a higher rate of low-intensity help-seeking at the 8-week evaluation, than participants in the PSD. Moreover, at the 12-week evaluation, there was a medium effect size between the PSD and GSD groups on several measures, including gambling symptom severity, gambling urges, gambling expenditure, and quality of life; and a considerably higher proportion of GSD participants (62%) than PSD participants (35%) “recovered” on gambling symptom severity at the 12-week evaluation. There were also statistically significant improvements in gambling symptom severity, gambling urges, gambling frequency, and psychological distress within treatment groups at the 8- and 12-week evaluations. On gambling symptom severity, 50% of users recovered, 14% improved, 34% showed no real change, and 3% deteriorated; for psychological distress, 32% of users recovered, 15% improved, 45% experienced no real change, and 9% deteriorated. There were significant improvements in gambling expenditure and quality of life at the 8-week, but not the 12-week, evaluation. In contrast, there was no within-group improvement on help-seeking at either post-baseline evaluation.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 206
1. Currently reside in Australia
2. Express interest in seeking some type of help for their own gambling problems
3. Be at least 18 years of age
4. Have access to the internet
5. Have good knowledge of the English language
6. Are willing to commit to the 8 week program and to completing brief assessment measures.
1. Under the age of 18 years
2. Do not reside in Australia
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Gambling symptom severity using the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale.<br>[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention];Self-reported past month gambling frequency using an online questionnaire designed for this study.[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention];Self-reported past month gambling spend using an online questionnaire designed for this study.[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention]
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Psychological distress using Kessler 6<br><br><br><br><br>[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention];Well-being using one item from WHO-QOL[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention];Self-reported help-seeking using an online questionnaire designed for this study.[1. Immediately pre-intervention<br>2. 2 months from pre-intervention<br>3. 3 months from pre-intervention<br>4. 12 months from pre-intervention<br>5. 24 months from pre-intervention]