Emotion regulation-enhanced group treatment for gambling disorder: a non-randomized pilot trial

Viktor Månsson, Olof Molander, Per Carlbring, Ingvar Rosendahl, Anne H Berman, Viktor Månsson, Olof Molander, Per Carlbring, Ingvar Rosendahl, Anne H Berman

Abstract

Background: Despite the association of Gambling Disorder (GD) with poor mental health, treatment options generally lack components targeting emotional difficulties. This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of adding strategies of emotion regulation to an eight-session weekly group treatment.

Method: This non-randomized pilot study recruited 21 treatment-seeking adults with GD, (mean age = 36.3, 19% females) from addiction care. In a mixed methods design, measures of within-group changes in self-reported symptoms of GD were complemented with thematic analysis of post-treatment interviews regarding the feasibility of the treatment.

Results: Within-group scores on the Gambling Symptoms Assessment Scale (G-SAS) showed a 47% decrease (β: -0.1599, 95% CI: - 0.2526 to - 0.0500) from pre-treatment to 12-month follow-up, with Hedges' g = 1.07 (CI: 0.57-1.60). The number of GD-symptoms according to the Structured Clinical Interview for Gambling Disorder (SCI-GD) decreased from 7.0 (SD = 1.60) at pre-treatment to 2.1 (SD = 2.36) at 12-month follow-up. Participants completed an average of 6.3 sessions and rated the intervention high in satisfaction and acceptability. Feasibility interviews showed no noticeable negative effects or ethical issues. Furthermore, helpful components in the treatment were: increased awareness of emotional processes and strategies to deal with difficult emotions.

Conclusions: Adding emotion regulation strategies in the treatment of GD is feasible and acceptable and warrants further investigation in a controlled trial.

Trial registration: This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03725735 ).

Keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy; Emotion regulation; Gambling disorder; Mixed methods; Pilot trial.

Conflict of interest statement

The first author has received a grant from the state-owned gambling company Svenska Spel AB for another study. Anne H Berman is a board member of the Svenska Spel Independent Research Council.

© 2021. The Author(s).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant flowchart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a Total time spent gambling during the previous week. b Participants reporting any gambling expenditure previous week. c Mean amount (in SEK) spent on gambling in previous week

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