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Open Access 01-06-2018 | Original Paper

The Development of an Internet-Based Treatment for Problem Gamblers and Concerned Significant Others: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors: Anders Nilsson, Kristoffer Magnusson, Per Carlbring, Gerhard Andersson, Clara Hellner Gumpert

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Problem gambling creates significant harm for the gambler and for concerned significant others (CSOs). While several studies have investigated the effects of individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for problem gambling, less is known about the effects of involving CSOs in treatment. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) has shown promising results when working with substance use disorders by involving both the user and a CSO. This pilot study investigated BCT for problem gambling, as well as the feasibility of performing a larger scale randomized controlled trial. 36 participants, 18 gamblers and 18 CSOs, were randomized to either BCT or individual CBT for the gambler. Both interventions were Internet-delivered self-help interventions with therapist support. Both groups of gamblers improved on all outcome measures, but there were no differences between the groups. The CSOs in the BCT group lowered their scores on anxiety and depression more than the CSOs of those randomized to the individual CBT group did. The implications of the results and the feasibility of the trial are discussed.

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Title: The Development of an Internet-Based Treatment for Problem Gamblers and Concerned Significant Others: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Anders Nilsson
Kristoffer Magnusson
Per Carlbring
Gerhard Andersson
Clara Hellner Gumpert
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9704-4

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The Development of an Internet-Based Treatment for Problem Gamblers and Concerned Significant Others: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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