Online Coping Skills Counseling for Problem Gambling and Trauma

NCT03145792 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: LG-15-13
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 65
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial examines the efficacy of two behavioral therapies. Seeking Safety, which addresses co-occurring problem gambling (PG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being compared to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for PG, which addresses only PG. Both models are delivered via telehealth.

Conditions

Gambling Disorder; Trauma, Psychological; Problem Gambling; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Money spent gambling

  Change from baseline in amount of money spent gambling in the past month

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

• Number of gambling sessions

  Change from baseline in number of days in the past month during which gambling occurred

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• PTSD Checklist (PCL) scores

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

• Trauma Symptom Checklist 40

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

• Brief Symptom Inventory-18 scores

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

• Brief Addiction Monitor scores

  6-weeks (mid-treatment), 12-weeks (end-of-treatment), and 12-months

Study Arms (2)

Seeking Safety

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral therapy for trauma and addiction.

Behavioral: Seeking Safety

CBT for Pathological Gambling

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral therapy for gambling problems.

Behavioral: CBT for Pathological Gambling

Interventions

Seeking Safety BEHAVIORAL

Seeking Safety (SS) is a present-focused, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for trauma and/or addiction. It offers safe coping skills and education relevant to both problem areas.

Seeking Safety

CBT for Pathological Gambling BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Pathological Gambling (CBT-PG) is an evidence-based therapy for gambling problems. It focuses on cognitive correction, problem solving, social skills and relapse prevention.

CBT for Pathological Gambling

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 and over
• Recruited from the province of Manitoba, Canada
• Meets criteria for PTSD (full or subthreshold) on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)
• Meets gambling disorder criteria per the DSM-5 Diagnostic Interview of Gambling Severity

You may not qualify if:

• Current uncontrolled psychotic or bipolar I disorder
• Suicidal or homicidal ideation with intent and/or plan
• Currently engaging in or planning to engage in any manualized, formal, evidence-based PTSD therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Windsor: lead
• Manitoba Gambling Research Program: collaborator
• Treatment Innovations: collaborator
• University of Manitoba: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Treatment Innovations

Newton Center, Massachusetts, 02459, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gambling; Psychological Trauma; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Risk-Taking; Behavior; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Mental Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Study Officials

• David M Ledgerwood, PhD

  University of Windsor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Lisa Najavits, PhD

  Treatment Innovations

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Adjunct Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2017
• First Posted: May 9, 2017
• Study Start: October 1, 2016
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2021
• Study Completion: June 1, 2021
• Last Updated: March 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Locations

US (1)