mHealth App for Gambling Addiction

Overseen By Jeremiah Weintock, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: St. Louis University

Disqualifiers: Age <18, Uncontrolled psychiatric, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this project is to develop and to test the efficacy of a novel mHealth app for gambling disorder. The app capitalizes on smartphones' global positioning software (GPS) that recognizes a user's location to within 15 feet. Users will receive an alert of this go near a gambling venue. The project will conduct a 12-week pilot randomized clinical trial to test the short-term efficacy of the app with gambling disorder individuals.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the mHealth App, Don't Go There, Geospatial mHealth App for Gambling Disorder treatment?

Research shows that mobile health apps can be effective in delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gambling problems, as they provide real-time support and help users avoid gambling triggers. Additionally, location-based technology has been found useful in enhancing patient compliance with CBT components, such as stimulus control and exposure with response prevention, by making users feel observed and supported. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the mHealth App for Gambling Addiction safe for humans?

In a study involving a location-based app used during gambling treatments, patients found the app to be safe and supportive, helping them avoid lapses in gambling behavior. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

How is the mHealth App treatment for gambling addiction different from other treatments?

The mHealth App for gambling addiction is unique because it uses geospatial technology to provide real-time support and interventions based on the user's location, helping them avoid gambling triggers in their everyday environment. This approach is different from traditional treatments, which often require in-person sessions and may not offer immediate, location-based assistance. ^{1 3 4 5 7}

Research Team

Jeremiah Weinstock, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Louis University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults with a gambling disorder, as defined by the DSM-5. Participants must have gambled non-online at least four times in the last 60 days and wagered $100 total over that period. They need to be willing to be randomly assigned to groups and must use an Android phone.

Inclusion Criteria

You have gambled in person at least four times in the last two months.

You own an Android phone.

to conditions is a prerequisite for a good experimental design In order to have a good experimental design, you need to be willing to accept random assignment to conditions.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a history of extreme behavior that could negatively impact the study or others involved in the study.

Decline permission to collect zero permission data from smartphone.

You have severe mental health issues that require immediate psychiatric attention.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the gambling disorder mHealth app or are placed on a wait list for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Baseline and post-treatment assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in gambling behavior and quality of life

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• mHealth App

Trial Overview The study is testing a new mHealth app designed for people with gambling addiction. The app uses GPS to alert users if they get close to a gambling venue. This pilot trial will run for 12 weeks and aims to see how effective the app is in the short term.

Participant Groups

Group I: mHealth App Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive the gambling disorder mHealth app.

Group II: Wait List Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participant will be placed on a wait list for 12 weeks, after which they will be offered the gambling disorder mHealth app.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Louis University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

197

Recruited

41,400+

National Center for Responsible Gaming

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

110+

Findings from Research

The Symptoms app, a location-based ICT system, was found to be useful by two patients with Gambling Disorder during their Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, particularly in the stimulus control and exposure with response prevention components.

Patients reported that the app provided a sense of observation and support, which helped them avoid relapses, suggesting that technology could enhance compliance and effectiveness in psychological interventions for gambling disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Client's Experiences Using a Location-Based Technology ICT System during Gambling Treatments' Crucial Components: A Qualitative Study. Diaz-Sanahuja, L., Miralles, I., Granell, C., et al.[2022]

The GAMBOT intervention, delivered through a messaging app, showed a significant reduction in gambling symptoms (G-SAS) among participants, indicating its potential effectiveness for problem gamblers, despite no significant change in the primary outcome (PGSI).

With a low dropout rate of only 6.7% and 77% of participants actively engaging throughout the 28-day intervention, GAMBOT demonstrates promise as a low-dropout alternative for problem gamblers who prefer not to seek face-to-face support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unguided Chatbot-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Problem Gamblers Through Messaging App: A Randomised Controlled Trial. So, R., Furukawa, TA., Matsushita, S., et al.[2021]

The study developed a mobile health (mHealth) intervention called GAMBLINGLESS, which was informed by the needs and preferences of 48 participants with experiences of gambling harm, ensuring cultural relevance and personalization in its design.

The intervention was structured around the transtheoretical model, allowing for different pathways based on users' readiness to change, which may enhance its effectiveness in delivering support and treatment for gambling-related issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting an Evidence-Based e-Learning Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Into a Mobile App for People Experiencing Gambling-Related Problems: Formative Study. Humphrey, G., Chu, JT., Ruwhiu-Collins, R., et al.[2022]

The GamblingLess app was found to be acceptable and feasible for users, with participants reporting high levels of helpfulness and satisfaction, despite low compliance rates for daily assessments.

Preliminary effectiveness results showed significant reductions in gambling episodes and craving intensity, with 71% and 72% reductions reported during the intervention, indicating the app's potential to help manage cravings and improve gambling behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Smartphone-Delivered Ecological Momentary Intervention for Problem Gambling (GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge): Single-Arm Acceptability and Feasibility Trial. Hawker, CO., Merkouris, SS., Youssef, GJ., et al.[2021]

A randomized control trial is being conducted in New Zealand to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a mobile app delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with gambling problems, aiming to recruit 284 participants.

The app is designed to enhance user engagement through personalized features and multimedia elements, and it will measure changes in gambling symptoms and behaviors over 12 weeks, potentially improving access to treatment for those who typically do not seek help.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Manaaki - a cognitive behavioral therapy mobile health app to support people experiencing gambling problems: a randomized control trial protocol. Humphrey, G., Chu, J., Dowling, N., et al.[2020]

The digitalization of gambling increases risks such as availability and game intensity, necessitating new harm prevention and reduction strategies tailored for online environments.

Effective harm prevention requires multi-modal and multi-level interventions, utilizing the same data-driven tools that online gambling providers use to market their products.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gambling harm prevention and harm reduction in online environments: a call for action. Marionneau, V., Ruohio, H., Karlsson, N.[2023]

The study found that licensed gambling premises are primarily located in areas of deprivation, particularly in urban and coastal regions, indicating a correlation between socioeconomic status and gambling availability.

By using geospatial mapping, the research highlights that coastal areas have a high density of gambling premises and associated risk factors for disordered gambling, suggesting that resources should be targeted to these vulnerable communities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using geospatial mapping to predict and compare gambling harm hotspots in urban, rural and coastal areas of a large county in England. Saunders, M., Rogers, J., Roberts, A., et al.[2023]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Client's Experiences Using a Location-Based Technology ICT System during Gambling Treatments' Crucial Components: A Qualitative Study. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unguided Chatbot-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Problem Gamblers Through Messaging App: A Randomised Controlled Trial. [2021]

3. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting an Evidence-Based e-Learning Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Into a Mobile App for People Experiencing Gambling-Related Problems: Formative Study. [2022]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Smartphone-Delivered Ecological Momentary Intervention for Problem Gambling (GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge): Single-Arm Acceptability and Feasibility Trial. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Manaaki - a cognitive behavioral therapy mobile health app to support people experiencing gambling problems: a randomized control trial protocol. [2020]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gambling harm prevention and harm reduction in online environments: a call for action. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using geospatial mapping to predict and compare gambling harm hotspots in urban, rural and coastal areas of a large county in England. [2023]