Imaginal desensitisation plus motivational interviewing for pathological gambling: randomised controlled trial.
Sixty-eight individuals were randomised to either six sessions of imaginal desensitisation plus motivational interviewing (IDMI) or Gamblers Anonymous. Individuals assigned to IDMI had significantly greater reductions in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling total scores, gambling urges and gambling behaviour. People who failed to respond to Gamblers Anonymous reported significantly greater reduction in pathological gambling symptoms following later assignment to IDMI. Abstinence was achieved by 63.6% during the acute IDMI treatment period.
Grant
Jon E
JE
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. grant045@umn.edu
Donahue
Christopher B
CB
Odlaug
Brian L
BL
Kim
Suck Won
SW
Miller
Michael J
MJ
Petry
Nancy M
NM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult