Effectiveness of face-to-face gambling interventions: A randomised controlled trial

Summary

The purpose of the randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the relative effectiveness of two interventions. The trial was set within a community-based national face-to-face gambling treatment service in New Zealand over a 12-month period.

Participants (n=227) were randomly assigned to either of the two groups: (1) a face-to-face 10-session combined cognitive and cue exposure therapy (referred to as CBT in this report), and (2) a six-session Motivational Interviewing intervention that comprised one face-to-face session, a self-help workbook, and five ‘booster’ telephone sessions (MI+W+B). At the completion of the CBT and MI+W+B interventions (n=51 and 56 respectively), participants were further randomised to either receive or not receive a nine-month SMS text messaging intervention.

The trial concluded that both a low intensity CBT and MI+W+B were effective in reducing gambling behaviour, the costs of both interventions were comparable when including wider health care and social costs, tailored treatment approaches on a per-person basis that considers personal circumstances and preferences is more likely to ensure optimal outcomes at an individual level, and a stepped-care system could be considered, with low intensity treatment initially provided by a gambling treatment service, followed by high intensity treatment if warranted or requested.

There may be longer-term differences between the low intensity CBT and MI+W+B interventions that are not yet apparent.