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Gambling and Brief Interventions

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
Donaghue Medical Research Foundation
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
University of Connecticut Health Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00183599
First received: September 13, 2005
Last updated: November 17, 2011
Last verified: November 2011
History of Changes
  Purpose

This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling.


Condition Intervention Phase
Gambling
 Behavioral: 5 Minutes of Simple Advice
Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
 Phase 1

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Effect of Type and Duration of Therapy on Treatment for Gambling

Resource links provided by NLM:

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by University of Connecticut Health Center:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Addiction Severity Index (ASI)-gambling severity scores [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Amount spent gambling [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Days gambled [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Proportion meeting problem gambling criteria [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Proportion abstinent [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • Psychosocial functioning [ Time Frame: measured at baseline, Week 6, and 9 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 500
Study Start Date: April 1999
Study Completion Date: March 2007
Primary Completion Date: March 2007 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Experimental: 1 Behavioral: 5 Minutes of Simple Advice
Experimental: 2 Behavioral: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Experimental: 3 Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Detailed Description:

Gambling, if done compulsively, can cause psychological, physical, social, and vocational problems. Problem gambling, or compulsive gambling, is a progressive addiction characterized by a preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, and gambling more to make up for losses. This study will compare four different combinations and durations of motivational enhancement therapy (MET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and brief advice treatments for gambling versus a non-intervention condition to determine which is most effective in reducing problem gambling.

This open-label study will last a total of 9 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 will have no intervention and will be instructed to call if they experience any gambling problems. Group 2 will receive 5 minutes of education on the hazards of heavy gambling. In addition, they will receive a 1-page brochure on problem gambling and its consequences. Group 3 will receive a 1-hour session of MET focused on increasing commitment to change by raising awareness of personal consequences of gambling. Group 4 will receive the same MET session as Group 3, as well as three 1-hour sessions of CBT focused on identifying specific social and mood cues associated with gambling. Treatment will end at Week 4. Participants will have two follow-up sessions held over the phone at Week 6 and again 9 months after enrollment. Gambling behavior, employment status, alcohol and drug use, psychiatric problems, and family problems will be assessed.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Meets criteria for problem gambling
  • Two or more gambling episodes per month for 2 months prior to enrollment
  • Has spent at least $50 per month on gambling for 2 months prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any uncontrolled psychiatric conditions
  • Severe cognitive impairment
  • Currently receiving treatment for gambling
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00183599

Locations
United States, Connecticut
LMG
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States, 06604
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, Connecticut, United States, 06030
CSAC
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Southern CT State University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06515
LMG
Stamford, Connecticut, United States
University of Connecticut
Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut, United States, 06269
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Connecticut Health Center
Donaghue Medical Research Foundation
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Nancy M Petry, PhD University of Connecticut Health Center
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: University of Connecticut Health Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00183599     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: 99-205, DF#00-121
Study First Received: September 13, 2005
Last Updated: November 17, 2011
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by University of Connecticut Health Center:
Brief interventions
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Gambling
Impulse Control Disorders
Mental Disorders

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 23, 2013