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NCT Number: NCT03725735

Emotion Regulation Group Treatment for Gambling Disorder - a Pilot Trial

Group cognitive behavioral therapy for Gambling Disorder (GD) with a focus on emotion regulation - A pilot study This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and possible effectiveness of a novel treatment protocol developed within the research group including emotion regulation techniques for the treatment of GD.

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Key information

Conditions

Gambling Disorder Behavior Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders Emotional Regulation Gambling Mental Disorders Risk-Taking Self-Control Social Behavior

Age range

18 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet

Stockholm, Sweden

About this study

The manual is based on principles from so called third wave cognitive behavioral therapy, which differs from current treatment within standard care in that focus is more on emotion regulation techniques. The treatment consists of an 8- session program delivered by weekly sessions. The study is an open trial in order to evaluate the possible benefit of components of emotion regulation in treating gambling disorder (GD). Participants with psychiatric comorbidities will be included and symptoms of comorbidities will be measured as secondary outcomes.

Once included in the study the participant will be measured weekly on symptoms of gambling disorder.

By increasing competencies in emotion regulation (such as active problem solving, acceptance and reappraisal of events in order to change their emotional impact) the hypothesis is that the participants will improve on measures of symptoms of GD as well as gambling expenditure in terms of time and money.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Gambling Disorder according to DSM 5

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to speak and read Swedish
  • Symptoms of manic episode
  • Severe psychiatric condition in need of urgent care

Treatment and study plan

CBT for problem gambling with emotion regulation

Behavioral

CBT group treatment for problem gambling with emotion regulation focus, with 8 sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in gambling symptoms

    Time frame: Pre-treatment up to 12-month followup.

    Change in gambling symptoms will be measured by Gambling symptoms assessment scale (G-SAS) - a 12-item scale measuring symtoms of gambling disorder within the last week. Maximum score 48. Higher scores indicating more severe problems.

  2. Change in gambling expenditure

    Time frame: Pre-treatment up to 12-month followup.

    Change in time and money spent on gambling, per week

Secondary outcomes

  1. Symptoms of depression

    Time frame: PHQ-9 will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, weekly measures during the 8 weeks of treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Patient health questionnaire, PHQ-9 - measuring symtoms of depression with the last 2 weeks. Maximum score: 27. Higher scores indicating more severe problems.

  2. Symptoms of anxiety

    Time frame: GAD- 7 will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, weekly measures during the 8 weeks of treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item, GAD-7.Maximum score: 21. Higher scores indicating more severe problems

  3. WHOQOL-Bref

    Time frame: WHOQOL-Bref will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Measures quality of life in four domains (psychological, social, environmental and physical)

Other outcomes

  1. Gambling Urges

    Time frame: will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Gambling Urge Scale, 6 item - measuring gambling urges. Maximun score of 18. Higher score = stronger urges.

  2. Craving experiences

    Time frame: CEQ-G will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Craving experiences questionnaire for gambling (CEQ-G)- measuring gambling cravings in terms of frequency and intensity within the last week. 16 item scores from 0-10. Maximum score of 160. Higher scores = more strong and/or intense cravings.

  3. Alcohol consumption

    Time frame: AUDIT will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, AUDIT

  4. Drug consumption

    Time frame: DUDIT will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Drug Use Disorder Identification Test, DUDIT

  5. Increased competencies in Emotion Regulation

    Time frame: DERS - 16 will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, DERS- 16

  6. Increased psychological flexibility

    Time frame: AAQ-II will be administered: assessment prior to treatment, weekly measures during the 8 weeks of treatment, at treatment termination and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment termination.

    Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - AAQ - II - a measure of psychological flexibility and acceptance which will be analysed as mediator in treatment. 6 items, maximum score of 42. Higher scores indicating more inflexibility and experiential avoidance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karolinska Institutet

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Problem Gambling With a Focus on Emotion Regulation - A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Oct 31, 2018
Registry last updated
Mar 18, 2025

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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