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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03460288

Computer-based Training (Retraining) for People With Gambling Problems

The study examines the efficacy and acceptance of a computer-based training program for individuals with problematic or pathological gambling behavior. The study intends to investigate the extent to which the computer-based training program leads to a significant reduction in pathological gambling (primary outcome) when compared to a control group. The study design is a randomized-controlled trial with one intervention group and one wait-list control group.

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Key information

Conditions

Gambling, Pathological Behavior Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders Gambling Mental Disorders Risk-Taking

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

Hamburg, 20246, Germany

About this study

The study examines the efficacy of a computer-based training 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 Pathological Gambling Adaptation of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsory Scale (PG-YBOCS total score) as a measure of the severity of pathological gambling symptoms. Secondary outcomes are further measures of gambling-related symptoms, such as the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), as well as rates of depression, measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 items depression module (PHQ-9), and rates of impulsivity, measured with the impulsivity subscale of the Eysenck's Impulsivity Inventory (I-7). The training is expected to lead to a significant reduction in problematic/pathological gambling behavior (PG-YBOCS) and all secondary outcomes when compared to a control group. The study design is a randomized-controlled trial with one intervention group and one wait-list control group and two assessment times (pre and post). The intervention group receives the download link for the training program directly following the baseline survey and can use the training over a period of 8 weeks, whereas the wait-list control group receives access to the training after completion of the post-survey.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • informed consent
  • access to internet
  • sufficient command of the 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 who do not use the program are also included in the analysis)
  • willingness to leave an (anonymous) email-address
  • subjective need for treatment

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Retraining (AAT)

Behavioral

The training program is based upon the approach-avoidance task (AAT) and can be easily performed on a computer, laptop or tablet. There is a total of 20 pictures, 10 slot-machine gambling related pictures and 10 neutral pictures that were already used in a prior study (Wittekind et al., submitted). The pictures appear on the computer screen and have to be either pushed or pulled. Pushing and pulling depends on a masked instruction (not related to the content of the pictures, but to the color of the frame). All gambling-related pictures are framed with the color that is instructed to be pushed, all neutral pictures are framed with the color that is instructed to be pulled.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pathological Gambling Adaptation of Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (PG-YBOCS)

    Time frame: Change in PG-YBOCS from pre- to post-intervention (i.e. 8 week interval)

    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 outcomes

  1. South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)

    Time frame: Change in SOGS from pre- to post-intervention (i.e. 8 week interval)

    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.

  2. Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire - Subscale Impulsivity (I-7)

    Time frame: Change in I-7 from pre- to post-intervention (i.e. 8 week interval)

    Impulsivity will be assessed with the 17-item impulsivity subscale of the Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire, which consists of the three subscales impulsiveness, venturesomeness, and empathy (Eysenck, Pearson, Easting, & Allsopp, 1985). The reliability of the subscale is good (α = .82 - .85).

  3. Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 items depression module (PHQ-9)

    Time frame: Change in PHQ-9 from pre- to post-intervention (i.e. 8 week interval)

    The PHQ-9 is used to assess depressive symptoms over the past week. The nine items of the questionnaire are based upon the diagnostic criteria of major depression. Internal consistency of the scale is very good (Cronbach´s α = .86 - .89).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Retraining

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Mar 9, 2018
Registry last updated
Apr 30, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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