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Internet-Based Delivery of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Compared to Monitoring, Feedback and Support for Problem Gambling: A Randomised Controlled Trial

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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.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the patients who participated in this study and the post graduate clinical students who helped in collecting data in this project.

Funding

This research was funded by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland State Government, Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Psychology, Behavioural Basis of Health, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia

    Leanne M. Casey

  2. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, McElwain Building, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Tian P. S. Oei & Namrata Raylu

  3. James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Sims Dr, Singapore, 387380, Singapore

    Tian P. S. Oei

  4. Nanjing University, 22 Han Kou Lu, Gulou, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Tian P. S. Oei

  5. Private Practice, Suite 5.9A, 12 Endeavour Boulevard, North Lakes, QLD, 4509, Australia

    Katherine Horrigan

  6. School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD, 430, Australia

    Jamin Day, Michael Ireland & Bonnie A. Clough

Authors
  1. Leanne M. Casey
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  2. Tian P. S. Oei
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  3. Namrata Raylu
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  4. Katherine Horrigan
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  5. Jamin Day
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  6. Michael Ireland
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  7. Bonnie A. Clough
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Correspondence to Leanne M. Casey.

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Casey, L.M., Oei, T.P.S., Raylu, N. et al. Internet-Based Delivery of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Compared to Monitoring, Feedback and Support for Problem Gambling: A Randomised Controlled Trial. J Gambl Stud 33, 993–1010 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9666-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9666-y

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