Minimal and Brief Treatments for Pathological Gamblers

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Pathological Gambling
• Interventions: Behavioral: Self-help treatment

• Registration Number: NCT00203645
• Lead Sponsor: University of Calgary

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to examine whether problem gamblers who receive therapy calls in addition to a self-help manual will be more likely to quit or cut back on their gambling when compared with problem gamblers who receive just the manual.

Detailed Description

With gambling becoming more accessible, the occurrence of problems related to gambling are on the rise. The costs of problem gambling are enormous.There are social and economic costs, the gambler can sometimes lose a significant relationship, job, or commit an illegal activity. Pathological gamblers are also at risk for developing a general medical condition related to stress. There is a high risk of suicide and problem gamblers also have increased rates of mental health disorders. Relatively few people choose to attend formal treatment programs so it's important to provide a range of options to make treatment more accessible. The present study examines the effectiveness of minimal and brief interventions delivered by the telephone.

Comparison(s): The "Workbook Only Control" condition involves receiving the self-help booklet through the mail after a brief telephone assessment. The "Minimal Treatment" condition involves receiving the same workbook but also having a motivational enhancement intervention by telephone. The "Brief Treatment" condition provides the workbook, motivational enhancement, and follow-up support on six occasions spread over 36 weeks. The "Wait List Control" condition involves participants being assigned to a six week waiting list. Participants are assessed and after a six week waiting period they will have a reassessment at which time they will be sent the gambling self-help workbook.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2003-07
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-20
• Primary Completion: 2006-04
• Status Verified: 2009-02
• Study Completion: 2009-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2009-02-13
• Last Update Posted: 2009-02-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 312

Inclusion Criteria

• Over age 17
• Perception of a gambling problem and a score of 3 or higher (moderate risk) on the Canadian Problem Gambling Index.
• Not involved in treatment at present.
• Willingness to read a short book written in English as a major treatment.
• Willing to have telephone contacts recorded.
• Willing to provide follow-up data on gambling.
• Willing to provide the name of a collateral to help locate them for follow-up interviews.
• Must have gambled at least once in the past month

Exclusion Criteria

• Participants in the preliminary study will be excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: FACTORIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Brief self-directed treatment	Self-help treatment	self-help workbook plus motivational telephone intervention
Self-directed plus telephone support	Self-help treatment	Self-help workbook, motivational telephone intervention plus telephone booster calls
Workbook only	Self-help treatment	Workbook only

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Days of Gambling	3,6,9 12 months
Money lost	3,6,9 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Self-efficacy	3,6,9,12 months
Gambling problem severity	12 months
Psychiatric symptoms	12 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Calgary; 🇨🇦 Calgary, Alberta, Canada