mHealth App for Gambling Addiction

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new smartphone app designed to assist individuals with gambling addiction. The app, called the mHealth App, uses GPS technology to alert users when they are near a gambling venue, helping them manage their urges. Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the app or be placed on a waitlist for 12 weeks. This trial suits English-speaking Android users who have gambled in person at least four times and spent at least $100 in the past 60 days. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new methods for managing gambling addiction.

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 prior data suggests that this mHealth app is safe for users?

A previous study found a similar location-based mobile health app to be safe and helpful for people dealing with gambling issues. Participants reported that the app helped them avoid gambling without major safety problems. This trial tests an app, so it doesn't involve medication or medical procedures, typically resulting in fewer risks. While more research is needed to fully understand the app's effectiveness, current evidence suggests users receive it well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the mHealth app for gambling addiction because it offers a novel digital approach to managing this condition. Unlike traditional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or medication, which require in-person visits or prescriptions, the mHealth app provides accessible, on-the-go support right from your smartphone. This app offers personalized interventions and real-time tracking, which could empower individuals to manage their gambling impulses more effectively and conveniently in their daily lives. This innovative delivery method has the potential to reach a broader audience, including those who might not seek traditional treatment options.

What evidence suggests that this mHealth app is effective for gambling addiction?

Research has shown that mobile health apps can effectively provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gambling problems. These apps offer real-time support to help individuals manage their gambling addiction. In this trial, participants in the experimental arm will receive the mHealth app, which uses smartphones' GPS to send alerts when users approach a gambling venue. This feature helps individuals avoid places that might trigger gambling behavior. Although no published studies have specifically evaluated this app, using GPS and real-time alerts could be a promising method to reduce gambling urges. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jeremiah Weinstock, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Louis University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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 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 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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-gambling-8-2021-615ab

mHealth App for Gambling Addiction

Research shows that mobile health apps can be effective in delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gambling problems, as they provide real-time ...

2.

icrg.org

icrg.org/funded-research/large-grant-dont-go-there-a-geospatial-mhealth-app-for-gambling-disorder/

Large Grant: “Don't Go There: A Geospatial mHealth App ...

Aim: Develop and test efficacy of a novel mHealth app that will capitalize on smartphones' global positioning software that recognizes a user's ...

3.

centerwatch.com

centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT04158037/dont-go-there-a-geospatial-mhealth-app-for-gambling-disorder

A Geospatial mHealth App for Gambling Disorder

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 ...

4.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10919356/

Smartphone Apps for Problem Gambling: A Review of ...

To date, there are no published studies that have evaluated the quality of publicly available smartphone apps for problem gambling in the US.

5.

icrg.org

icrg.org/research/funded-research/

Funded Research - ICRG

By conducting a longitudinal study with 1,200 participants aged 18-25, the researchers aim to uncover whether gambling disorders precede or follow mental health ...