Development and Validation of a Mindfulness Intervention for Problem Gambling: An Exploratory Study

Gambling Clinical Trial

Official title: Development and Validation of a Mindfulness Intervention for Problem Gambling: An Exploratory Study

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In recent years, mindfulness meditation has been shown to be a promising approach for alleviating emotional distress associated with chronic medical and psychiatric conditions and in reducing relapse following treatment for depression. The applicability of mindfulness meditation to problem gambling has not yet been explored. Mindfulness meditation may be particularly suitable for this clinical disorder as it stresses a process-oriented, metacognitive, approach to cognitive pathology in contrast to a content-focused approach, characteristic of traditional approaches to treating cognitive psychopathology. Gambling-related cognitive psychopathology is a well-known characteristic of problem gambling and frequently the target of therapy. Although there is growing evidence that cognitive-behavioral treatments are effective for gambling, outcomes may be improved by teaching gamblers additional ways to cope with cognitive distortions that emphasize metacognitive processes.

Clinical Trial Description

Hypothesis The mindfulness-enhanced CBT (MCBT) will report significant reductions in the frequency of gambling, gambling urges, gambling cognitions and gambling-related expenditures compared to the relaxation-enhanced CBT (RCBT) at end-of-treatment and at the 3-month follow-up.

Significance

1. feasibility of mindfulness interventions for problem gamblers

2. tentative data for the effectiveness of the intervention

3. an additional clinical tool to treat problem gamblers

4. basis of a larger, grant-funded study obtain more definitive data ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Gambling

• NCT number: NCT00495261
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2007
• Completion date: November 2007