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

BMC Psychiatry

Ingvar Rosendahl¹  Olof Molander¹  Viktor Månsson¹  Anne H. Berman²  Per Carlbring³ 

[1] Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, 7tr, SE-113 64, Stockholm, Sweden;Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Norra Stationsgatan 69, 7tr, SE-113 64, Stockholm, Sweden;Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden;

关键词: Gambling disorder;    Cognitive behavioral therapy;    Emotion regulation;    Pilot trial;    Mixed methods;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12888-021-03630-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDespite 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.MethodThis 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.ResultsWithin-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.ConclusionsAdding emotion regulation strategies in the treatment of GD is feasible and acceptable and warrants further investigation in a controlled trial.Trial registrationThis study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03725735).

【 授权许可】

CC BY