Gambling: Cognitive Behavioral Techniques vs. Control

Rory A. Pfund

General Description

The data-gambling-cbt dataset is a meta-analytic research domain MARD) which is part of the Metapsy project. The dataset contains study information and effect size data of randomized trials on cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBTs) for problem gambling and gambling disorder. The date of the last search update is provided here. More details about this database can be accessed in the published meta-analysis.

This dataset includes cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBTs) vs. control comparisons. Effect sizes are provided for three types of gambling-related outcomes (“gambling_outcome”) at post-test and at follow-up: 1) gambling disorder severity (measured using a variety of measures with some reliability and validity support, including the gambling subscale of the Addiction Severity Index, Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, etc.), 2) gambling frequency (e.g number of times gambled), and 3) gambling intensity (e.g. money spent on gambling). Additionally, this dataset also includes data on other outcomes such as anxiety, depression, quality of life, and substance use (“outcome_domain”).

The dataset follows the Metapsy data standard.


Affiliated Institutions

University of Memphis


Online Meta-Analysis Tool

A simplified version of this database can be analyzed at metapsy.org/database/gambling.


Metadata

  • metapsyData Shorthand: gambling-psyctr
  • Number of Studies: 39
  • Latest Version: 24.0.2
  • Last updated: August 15, 2024
  • Last search: January 1, 2024
  • Search String (Latest Version): ↗
  • Data Repository (Latest Version): ↗
  • Preregistration (Research Domain): ↗
  • License: ODC-By v1.0 ↗
  • Database DOI:

  • Version 24.0.2 (August 15, 2024):
  • Version 24.0.1 (July 24, 2024):
  • Version 24.0.0 (July 21, 2024):
  • Version 23.0.5 (September 19, 2023):
  • Version 23.0.4 (July 5, 2023):
  • Version 23.0.3 (July 5, 2023):
  • Version 23.0.2 (July 5, 2023):
  • Version 23.0.1 (July 5, 2023):

Variable Description

VariableDescription
studyName of first author and year of publication
condition_arm1Type of treatment (cbt = cognitive-behavioral treatment, mi = motivational intervention, other psy = other psychological treatment, pfi = personalized feedback intervention)
condition_arm2Type of comparator (ao = assessment only, cau = care as usual, wl = waitlist)
multi_arm1In multiarm trials, this variable provides a specification of the type of treatment used in the first arm. This variable is set to NA (missing) when the study was not a multiarm trial. For example, if a multiarm trial employed two types of CBT interventions, face-to-face and Internet-based, this variable would be set to f2f and Internet, respectively. (ind = individual, f2f = face-to-face, grp = group, gsh = guided self-help, ma = Massachusetts, mi = motivational interview, nv = Nevada, ush = unguided self-help, wb = workbook)
multi_arm2In multiarm trials, this variable provides a specification of the type of treatment used in the second arm. This variable is set to NA (missing) when the study was not a multiarm trial. For example, if a multiarm trial employed two types of control groups, waitlist and placebo, this variable would be set to wl and plac, respectively. Typically, multiarm trials employ two or more active treatments (e.g. CBT and problem-solving therapy), which are compared to the same control group (e.g. a waitlist). This means that values in multi_arm2 do not differ (e.g. they are always wl for this specific multiarm trial); nevertheless, the variable should be specified in the dataset
.gmetapsyTools generated variable: Calculated effect size (Hedges' g).
.g_semetapsyTools generated variable: Standard error of Hedges' g.
outcome_typeThis variable encodes the type of outcome that builds the basis of the comparison, e.g. means and standard deviations (msd), mean difference (md)
outcome_domainThis variable includes domains of outcomes (anxiety = anxiety, depression = depression, gambling = gambling, su = substance use)
gambling_outcomeThis variable specifies the type of gambling outcome measured: Gambling disorder severity (measured using a variety of measures with some reliability and validity support, including the gambling subscale of the Addiction Severity Index, Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, etc.), Gambling frequency (e.g., number of times gambled), and Gambling intensity (e.g., money spent on gambling), and Gambling duration (e.g., number of hours gambled)
instrumentThis variable describes the outcome that was measured (frequency = number of days gambled, intensity = amount of money gambled, duration = amount of time gambled, dsm-iii = DSM-III criteria for pathological gambling, dsm-iv = DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling, dsm-5 = DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder, asi = Addiction Severity Index-Gambling, audit = Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, bai = Beck Anxiety Inventory, bdi-2 = Beck Depression Inventory-2, cpgi = Canadian Problem Gambling Index, dd = daily diary, dass = Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale total score, dass-a = Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale Anxiety score, dass-d = Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale Depression score, dgd = alcoholic drinks per gambling day, global = global estimate; gsas = Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale, hads-a = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety score, hads-d = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Depression score, has = Hamilton Anxiety Scale, hrsd = Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, igd = intoxicated gambling days, nods = National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems, pgsi = Problem Gambling Severity Index, player = player data from real-world gaming operators, qoli = Quality of Life Inventory, sogs = South Oaks Gambling Screen, stai-s = State Trait Anxiety Inventory state score, stai-t = State Trait Anxiety Inventory trait score, swlq = Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire, tlfb = Timeline Followback, whoqol = World Health Organisation Quality of Life, ybocs = Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling)
timeThe measurement point at which the outcome was obtained (e.g. post or follow-up).
time_weeksThe measurement point at which the outcome was obtained (set to NA if this information was not available). For posttreatment outcomes, time is measured in weeks after randomization. For follow up outcomes, time is measured in weeks after treatment termination.
mean_arm1Mean arm 1
mean_arm2Mean arm 2
sd_arm1Standard deviation arm 1
sd_arm2Standard deviation arm 2
n_arm1Number of participants arm 1
n_arm2Number of participants arm 2
baseline_m_arm1Mean arm 1 at baseline
baseline_sd_arm1Mean arm 2 at baseline
baseline_n_arm1Standard deviation arm 1 at baseline
baseline_m_arm2Standard deviation arm 2 at baseline
baseline_sd_arm2Number of participants arm 1 at baseline
baseline_n_arm2Number of participants arm 2 at baseline
yearYear of publication
formatind= individual; grp= group; comb = combined individual and group treatment
format_detailsIt includes more details about the format, when necessary (gsh= guided self-help; ush= unguided self-help)
countryus= USA; uk= United Kingdom; eu= Europe; can= Canada; au= australia; eas= east asia; oth= other
mean_ageAverage age
percent_women% of women at baseline
acAllocation concealment (0= high risk; 1= low risk)
sgSequence generation (0= high risk; 1= low risk)
baBlinding of assessors (0= high risk; 1= low risk; sr= self-report)
ittIntention-to-treat analyses (0= high risk; 1= low risk)
robOverall risk of bias score. ranging from 0 (high risk) to 4 (low risk)
ratingmetapsytools standard variable
event_arm1Number of events (responders, remission, deterioration cases) in the first trial arm
event_arm2Number of events (responders, remission, deterioration cases) in the second trial arm
totaln_arm1Total number of participants arm 1 (event data)
totaln_arm2Total number of participants arm 2 (event data)
.idmetapsyTools generated variable: Unique identifier for a trial arm comparison/row.


Study References

  • Abbott, 2018: Abbott, M., Hodgins, D. C., Bellringer, M., Vandal, A. C., Palmer Du Preez, K., Landon, J., ... & Feigin, V. (2018). Brief telephone interventions for problem gambling: A randomized controlled trial. Addiction, 113(5), 883-895.
  • Boudreault, 2018: Boudreault, C., Giroux, I., Jacques, C., Goulet, A., Simoneau, H., & Ladouceur, R. (2018). Efficacy of a self-help treatment for at-risk and pathological gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(2), 561-580.
  • Bücker, 2018: Bücker, L., Bierbrodt, J., Hand, I., Wittekind, C., & Moritz, S. (2018). Effects of a depression-focused internet intervention in slot machine gamblers: a randomized controlled trial. PloS one, 13(6), e0198859.
  • Bücker, 2021: Bücker, L., Gehlenborg, J., Moritz, S., & Westermann, S. (2021). A randomized controlled trial on a self-guided Internet-based intervention for gambling problems. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 13033.
  • Carlbring, 2008: Carlbring, P., & Smit, F. (2008). Randomized trial of internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 1090-1094.
  • Carlbring, 2010: Carlbring, P., Jonsson, J., Josephson, H., & Forsberg, L. (2010). Motivational interviewing versus cognitive behavioral group therapy in the treatment of problem and pathological gambling: A randomized controlled trial. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 39(2), 92-103.
  • Casey, 2017: Casey, L. M., Oei, T. P., Raylu, N., Horrigan, K., Day, J., Ireland, M., & Clough, B. A. (2017). Internet-based delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy compared to monitoring, feedback and support for problem gambling: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of gambling studies, 33(3), 993-1010.
  • Cunningham, 2009: Cunningham, J. A., Hodgins, D. C., Toneatto, T., Rai, A., & Cordingley, J. (2009). Pilot study of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. Behavior Therapy, 40(3), 219-224.
  • Cunningham, 2012: Cunningham, J. A., Hodgins, D. C., Toneatto, T., & Murphy, M. (2012). A randomized controlled trial of a personalized feedback intervention for problem gamblers. PLoS One, 7(2), e31586.
  • Cunningham, 2019: Cunningham, J. A., Godinho, A., & Hodgins, D. C. (2019). Pilot randomized controlled trial of an online intervention for problem gamblers. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 9, 100175.
  • Dowling, 2007: Dowling, N., Smith, D., & Thomas, T. (2007). A comparison of individual and group cognitive-behavioural treatment for female pathological gambling. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(9), 2192-2202.
  • Ede, 2020: Ede, M. O., Omeje, J. C., Ncheke, D. C., Agah, J. J., Chinweuba, N. H., & Amoke, C. V. (2020). Assessment of the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 36(4), 1325-1339.
  • Grant, 2009: Grant, J. E., Donahue, C. B., Odlaug, B. L., Kim, S. W., Miller, M. J., & Petry, N. M. (2009). Imaginal desensitisation plus motivational interviewing for pathological gambling: randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(3), 266-267.
  • Harris, 2016: Harris, N., & Mazmanian, D. (2016). Cognitive behavioural group therapy for problem gamblers who gamble over the internet: A controlled study. Journal of Gambling Issues, 33, 170-188.
  • Hodgins, 2001: Hodgins, D. C., Currie, S. R., & el-Guebaly, N. (2001). Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 50-57.
  • Hodgins, 2009: Hodgins, D. C., Currie, S. R., Currie, G., & Fick, G. H. (2009). Randomized trial of brief motivational treatments for pathological gamblers: More is not necessarily better. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(5), 950-960.
  • LaBrie, 2012: LaBrie, R. A., Peller, A. J., LaPlante, D. A., Bernhard, B., Harper, A., Schrier, T., & Shaffer, H. J. (2012). A brief self-help toolkit intervention for gambling problems: a randomized multisite trial. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(2), 278-289.
  • Ladouceur, 2001: Ladouceur, R., Sylvain, C., Boutin, C., Lachance, S., Doucet, C., Leblond, J., & Jacques, C. (2001). Cognitive treatment of pathological gambling. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 189(11), 774-780.
  • Ladouceur, 2003: Ladouceur, R., Sylvain, C., Boutin, C., Lachance, S., Doucet, C., & Leblond, J. (2003). Group therapy for pathological gamblers: A cognitive approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41(5), 587-596.
  • Larimer, 2012: Larimer, M. E., Neighbors, C., Lostutter, T. W., Whiteside, U., Cronce, J. M., Kaysen, D., & Walker, D. D. (2012). Brief motivational feedback and cognitive behavioral interventions for prevention of disordered gambling: A randomized clinical trial. Addiction, 107(6), 1148-1158.
  • Lee, 2015: Lee, B. K., & Awosoga, O. (2015). Congruence couple therapy for pathological gambling: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31, 1047-1068.
  • Luquiens, 2016: Luquiens, A., Tanguy, M. L., Lagadec, M., Benyamina, A., Aubin, H. J., & Reynaud, M. (2016). The efficacy of three modalities of Internet-based psychotherapy for non–treatment-seeking online problem gamblers: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(2), e36.
  • Marceaux, 2011: Marceaux, J. C., & Melville, C. L. (2011). Twelve-step facilitated versus mapping-enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gambling: A controlled study. Journal of Gambling Studies, 27(1), 171-190.
  • Martens, 2015: Martens, M. P., Arterberry, B. J., Takamatsu, S. K., Masters, J., & Dude, K. (2015). The efficacy of a personalized feedback-only intervention for at-risk college gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(3), 494–499.
  • McAfee, 2020: McAfee, N. W., Martens, M. P., Herring, T. E., Takamatsu, S. K., & Foss, J. M. (2020). The efficacy of personalized feedback interventions delivered via smartphone among at-risk college student gamblers. Journal of Gambling Issues, 45.
  • Myrseth, 2009: Myrseth, H., Litlerè, I., Støylen, I. J., & Pallesen, S. (2009). A controlled study of the effect of cognitive–behavioural group therapy for pathological gamblers. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 63(1), 22-31.
  • Neighbors, 2015: Neighbors, C., Rodriguez, L. M., Rinker, D. V., Gonzales, R. G., Agana, M., Tackett, J. L., & Foster, D. W. (2015). Efficacy of personalized normative feedback as a brief intervention for college student gambling: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(3), 500-511.
  • Oei, 2010: Oei, T. P., Raylu, N., & Casey, L. M. (2010). Effectiveness of group and individual formats of a combined motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral treatment program for problem gambling: A randomized controlled trial. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 38(2), 233-238.
  • Oei, 2018: Oei, T. P. S., Raylu, N., & Lai, W. W. (2018). Effectiveness of a self help cognitive behavioural treatment program for problem gamblers: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Gambling Studies, 34(2), 581-595.
  • Petry, 2006: Petry, N. M., Ammerman, Y., Bohl, J., Doersch, A., Gay, H., Kadden, R., ... & Steinberg, K. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(3), 555-567.
  • Petry, 2008: Petry, N. M., Weinstock, J., Ledgerwood, D. M., & Morasco, B. (2008). A randomized trial of brief interventions for problem and pathological gamblers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(2), 318-328.
  • Petry, 2009: Petry, N. M., Weinstock, J., Morasco, B. J., & Ledgerwood, D. M. (2009). Brief motivational interventions for college student problem gamblers. Addiction, 104(9), 1569-1578.
  • Petry, 2016: Petry, N. M., Rash, C. J., & Alessi, S. M. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for problem gambling in substance abuse treatment patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(10), 874-886.
  • Rosen, 2020: Rosen, L. A., Weinstock, J., & Peter, S. C. (2020). A Randomized Clinical Trial Exploring Gambling Attitudes, Barriers to Treatment, and Efficacy of a Brief Motivational Intervention Among Ex‐Offenders with Disordered Gambling. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 65(5), 1646-1655.
  • So, 2020: So, R., Furukawa, T. A., Matsushita, S., Baba, T., Matsuzaki, T., Furuno, S., ... & Higuchi, S. (2020). Unguided chatbot-delivered cognitive behavioural intervention for problem gamblers through messaging app: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Gambling Studies, 36(4), 1391-1407.
  • Sylvain, 1997: Sylvain, C., Ladouceur, R., & Boisvert, J. M. (1997). Cognitive and behavioral treatment of pathological gambling: a controlled study. Journal of consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 727-732.
  • Toneatto, 2014: Toneatto, T., Pillai, S., & Courtice, E. L. (2014). Mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for problem gambling: A controlled pilot study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 12(2), 197-205.
  • Wall, 2023: Wall, H., Magnusson, K., Hellner, C., Andersson, G., Jayaram-Lindström, N., & Rosendahl, I. (2023). The evaluation of a brief ICBT program with therapist support for individuals with gambling problems in the context of a gambling helpline: a randomized pilot trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9(1), 26.
  • Wong, 2015: Wong, D. F. K., Chung, C. L. P., Wu, J., Tang, J., & Lau, P. (2015). A preliminary study of an integrated and culturally attuned cognitive behavioral group treatment for Chinese problem gamblers in Hong Kong. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31(3), 1015-1027.


Database Flowchart

Studies in the gambling-cbt dataset were extracted from the larger “problem gambling” database. The study flow of the database can be found below.

(n=3629)Records identified through database searches (n=undefined)Records identified through other sources (n=2169)Records after duplicate removal (n=2169)Records screened (n=2044)Records excluded (n=125)Full-text articles assessed for eligibility (n=86)Full-text excluded (n=39)Studies included in database (n=39)Studies included in dataset
  • Study not yet complete: n=25
  • Active control group: n=22
  • Involved pharmacotherapy: n=18
  • No randomization to 2+ groups: n=7
  • No psychological treatment: n=6
  • No problem/gambling disorder: n=5
  • Insufficent data to calculate effect sizes: n=2
  • No relevant outcomes: n=1


Further Information

  • A meta-analysis based on the problem gambling database ↗

Citation

Rory A. Pfund (2024) . Database of cognitive behavioral techniques for problem gambling and gambling disorder trials with control conditions. Part of the Metapsy project (Version 24.0.2 ). URL docs.metapsy.org/databases/depression-childadol-psyctr. DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8115993 .

Download