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.
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Some complementary tools have been used in previous studies, such as feedback about gambling behaviour and a section for functional analysis if participants gamble.
“Some of these complementary tools have been used in previous studies, such as feedback about their gambling behaviour and a section for carrying out a functional analysis if they gamble (Casey et al., 2017; Magnusson et al., 2019).”
From Efficacy of an internet-based psychological intervention for problem gambling and gambling disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2021) · cites this paper as Casey et al., 2017
Problematic attrition rates in RCTs of online interventions for gambling disorders vary from 6% to 65% in the first follow-up assessment (between 6 and 12 weeks).
“However, it is important to consider the problematic attrition rates in RCTs of online interventions for gambling disorders, which vary from 6% to 65% in the first follow-up assessment (between 6 and 12 weeks) (Bücker et al., 2018; Carlbring and Smith, 2008; Casey et al., 2017; Cunningham et al., 2009; Hodgins et al., 2019; Magnusson et al., 2019).”
From Efficacy of an internet-based psychological intervention for problem gambling and gambling disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2021) · cites this paper as Casey et al., 2017
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References 30 · Cited by 81
- Authors
- Casey, L. M., Oei, T. P. S., Raylu, N., Horrigan, K., Day, J., Ireland, M., & Clough, B. A.
- Affiliations
- Griffith University (AU)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- University of Southern Queensland (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Casey, Leanne M.
- Venue
- Journal of Gambling Studies
- Published
- 2017-01-25
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 993-1010
- ISSN
- 1050-5350 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3602
- OpenAlex
- W2581748270
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 6
- FWCI
- 10.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Gambling Studies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ResearchOnline - JCU (James Cook University) (submittedVersion)
- Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland State Government, Australia
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- problem gambling, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, online therapy, gambling severity, gambling urges, gambling-related cognitions, stress, life satisfaction, treatment engagement, help-seeking, stepped care, mental health outcomes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cognition, Female, Gambling, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Motivation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavior, Addictive, Internet
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