Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy for concerned significant others of people with problem gambling: study protocol for a randomised wait-list controlled trial

Kristoffer Magnusson; Anders Nilsson; Clara Hellner Gumpert; Gerhard Andersson; Per Carlbring

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008724

Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy for concerned significant others of people with problem gambling: study protocol for a randomised wait-list controlled trial

BMJ Open. 2015 Dec 9;5(12):e008724. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008724.

Authors

Kristoffer Magnusson¹, Anders Nilsson¹, Clara Hellner Gumpert¹, Gerhard Andersson², Per Carlbring³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm Center for Psychiatry Research and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
² Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm Center for Psychiatry Research and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
³ Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract

Introduction: About 2.3% of the adult population in Sweden are considered to suffer from problem gambling, and it is estimated that only 5% of those seek treatment. Problem gambling can have devastating effects on the economy, health and relationship, both for the individual who gambles and their concerned significant other (CSO). No empirically supported treatment exists for the CSOs of people with problem gambling. Consequently, the aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a programme aimed at CSOs of treatment-refusing problem gamblers. The programme will be based on principles from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. To benefit as many CSOs as possible, the programme will be delivered via the internet with therapist support via encrypted email and short weekly conversations via telephone.

Methods and analysis: This will be a randomised wait-list controlled internet-delivered treatment trial. A CBT programme for the CSOs of people with problem gambling will be developed and evaluated. The participants will work through nine modules over 10 weeks in a secure online environment, and receive support via secure emails and over the telephone. A total of 150 CSOs over 18 years of age will be included. Measures will be taken at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes concern gambling-related harm. Secondary outcomes include the treatment entry of the individual who gambles, the CSO's levels of depression, anxiety, as well as relationship satisfaction and quality of life.

Ethics and dissemination: The protocol has been approved by the regional ethics board of Stockholm, Sweden. This study will add to the body of knowledge on how to protect CSOs from gambling-related harm, and how to motivate treatment-refusing individuals to seek professional help for problem gambling.

Trial registration number: NCT02250586.

Keywords: cognitive behavior therapy; concerned significant other; pathological gambling; randomized controlled trial.

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Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety / etiology
Anxiety / therapy
Clinical Protocols
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Depression / etiology
Depression / therapy
Feasibility Studies
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gambling / psychology*
Gambling / therapy
Humans
Internet*
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Personal Satisfaction
Self Report
Spouses / psychology*
Telemedicine / methods*
Young Adult

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02250586