title: Internet-Based Delivery of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Compared to Monitoring, Feedback and Support for Problem Gambling: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy program (I-CBT) for the treatment of problem gambling, when compared to a waitlist control and an active comparison condition consisting of monitoring, feedback, and support (I-MFS). Participants (N = 174) were randomly allocated to the three conditions. Variables of interest were gambling outcome and related mental health measures. Participants in the active conditions (I-CBT and I-MFS) completed six online modules. Both I-CBT and I-MFS conditions resulted in significant treatment gains on gambling severity. However, I-CBT was also associated with reductions in a range of other gambling-related and mental health outcomes. Compared with I-MFS, I-CBT produced greater effects across seven outcomes measures, relating to gambling urges, cognitions, stress, and life satisfaction. I-CBT participants also rated the program as significantly more satisfactory. Treatment gains observed for both active conditions were found to be stable through to 12 month follow up. The results indicate that the benefits of I-CBT were more than simply the non-specific effects of engaging in online treatment or receiving motivation, feedback, and support. Online treatments for gambling may be a valuable tool in increasing help-seeking and treatment engagement in this population, and be integrated as part of stepped care approaches to treatment.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Behavioural Basis of Health, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia. l.casey@griffith.edu.auc.
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, McElwain Building, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.|James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Sims Dr, Singapore, 387380, Singapore.|Nanjing University, 22 Han Kou Lu, Gulou, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Tian P S
authors.initials: TPS
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, McElwain Building, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raylu
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Suite 5.9A, 12 Endeavour Boulevard, North Lakes, QLD, 4509, Australia.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horrigan
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD, 430, Australia.
authors.forename: Jamin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD, 430, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD, 430, Australia.
authors.forename: Bonnie A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Clough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation
keywords: Gambling disorder; Pathological gambling; Problem gambling; e-Mental health; e-Therapy