Cognitive training: A new avenue in gambling disorder management?

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive deficits are being robustly documented in gambling disorder. Cognitive training has been increasingly investigated as a treatment of substance use disorders. Four training components have been listed to date: cognitive bias, response inhibition, working memory, and goal-directed. This review aimed at the identification of use and efficacy findings in cognitive training in gambling disorder.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search to identify use and efficacy data of cognitive training in gambling disorder. No use or efficacy data was available.

Discussion and perspectives: Studies assessing cognitive training in gambling disorder are being conducted and first results should be upcoming. Methodological challenges have been identified. Several candidate target cognitive functions of training programs are being investigated, relying on the most documented impairments in gambling disorder, inhibition, reward sensitivity and decision making. Gambling-specific or neutral environments are to be distinguished clearly and do not rely on similar assumptions, i.e. general vulnerability or vulnerability expressed only in the specific context of gambling. Proper control groups with placebo conditions should be implemented. Assessment of efficacy should include clinical and neuropsychological assessments to give information of underlying mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Cognitive training; Gambling disorder; Problem gambling.