Pathological gambling is serious problem, with significant psychological, financial, and public health consequences. Nevertheless, controlled trials examining the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for pathological gamblers are sparse, and many pathological gamblers recover on their own, or with only minimal interventions. In this initial study of a SMART design for pathological gamblers, we will offer a brief intervention to all (n = 100), and subsequently randomize individuals based upon their initial treatment response to varying intensities of additional care from none to 8 sessions of individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) plus 14 weeks of Aftercare. Gambling outcomes will be assessed pre-treatment and at about weeks 10, 24, 36 and 52.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
66
MET is a client-centered, directive form of therapy designed to enhance clients' intrinsic motivation to change.
In CBT, clients learn to modify their thoughts as well as their behaviors by increasing awareness of the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and actions.
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, Connecticut, United States
self and collateral indices of gambling and gambling related problems
Time frame: baseline and each follow-up
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