Randomized trial of internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers.
Although effective therapies for pathological gambling exist, their uptake is limited to 10% of the target population. To lower the barriers for help seeking, the authors tested an online alternative in a randomized trial (N = 66). The participants were pathological gamblers not presenting with severe comorbid depression. A wait-list control was compared with an 8-week Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy program with minimal therapist contact via e-mail and weekly telephone calls of less than 15 min. Average time spent on each participant, including phone conversations, e-mail, and administration, was 4 hr. The Internet-based intervention resulted in favorable changes in pathological gambling, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Composite between-group effect size (Cohen's d) at posttreatment was 0.83. Follow-ups carried out in the treatment group at 6, 18, and 36 months indicated that treatment effects were sustained (ds = 2.58, 1.96, and 1.98). This evidence is in support of Internet-delivered treatment for pathological gamblers. However, it is not clear how effective the treatment is for more severely depressed individuals.
Carlbring
Per
P
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. per@carlbring.se
Smit
Filip
F
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult