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Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder

Sponsor: Universitas Indonesia • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07863440

Registry updated: 2026-10-15

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Description

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical effects of digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with gambling disorder involving online gambling in Indonesia. Twenty patient-family dyads will be enrolled. Patients with gambling disorder will be randomized to receive either 12 sessions of digital CBT or 12 individualized face-to-face CBT sessions over approximately 6 weeks. Family members in the digital arm will receive six digital family-intervention sessions over 3 weeks, while family members in the comparator arm will receive the same six-session intervention in printed format. Gambling-related symptoms, urges, cognitions, psychological symptoms, depression, sleep quality, coping, readiness to change, and family-related outcomes will be assessed during treatment. Feasibility and acceptability of the digital interventions will also be evaluated.

Interventions

Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder (Behavioral)
A therapist-supported digital CBT intervention for gambling disorder delivered through a smartphone-accessible platform. Patients complete 12 digital CBT sessions over 6 weeks, with two sessions released each week. Sessions consist of video-based therapeutic content, structured worksheets, and therapeutic assignments and may be completed at a time chosen by the participant. Patients also meet with an addiction psychiatrist once every 2 weeks, for a total of three meetings, to review completed session content and assignments, address difficulties encountered during treatment, and reinforce therapeutic strategies.
Digital Family Intervention for Gambling-Related Harms (Behavioral)
A six-session digital intervention for family members affected by the participating patient's gambling behavior. Two sessions are released each week over 3 weeks and may be completed using a smartphone at the family member's convenience. Sessions include video-based therapeutic content, structured assessments, and worksheets addressing gambling-related harms and coping strategies. Family members meet with an addiction psychiatrist twice, once after completion of Session 4 and again approximately 1 week after completion of Session 6, to review the intervention material and discuss difficulties encountered.
Face-to-Face Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder (Behavioral)
Individualized face-to-face CBT for gambling disorder delivered by an addiction psychiatrist twice weekly over 6 weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Each session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Treatment addresses gambling-related triggers and urges, gambling-related cognitions and behaviors, coping strategies, alternative behaviors, cognitive restructuring, financial management, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation, and relapse prevention.
Printed Family Intervention for Gambling-Related Harms (Behavioral)
A six-session printed intervention for family members affected by the participating patient's gambling behavior. The therapeutic content corresponds to the family intervention delivered digitally in the experimental arm but is provided in printed format. Family members complete two sessions per week over 3 weeks, together with the corresponding therapeutic content, structured assessments, and worksheets.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Patients With Gambling Disorder: * Aged 18 to 59 years. * Positive screening for gambling problems using the validated Indonesian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), with a score of 5 or higher. * Diagnosis of gambling disorder according to ICD-11 criteria confirmed through a psychiatric interview conducted by an addiction psychiatrist. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Has one eligible affected family member who is willing to participate and provide written informed consent. * Has access to the internet and a smartphone capable of accessing the digital intervention. Exclusion Criteria for Patients With Gambling Disorder: * No history of gambling during the previous 6 months. * History of a neuropsychiatric disorder that would interfere with study participation. * Severe mental disorder or intellectual disability preventing adequate completion of study assessments or participation in CBT. * Severe agitation preventing adequate participation in CBT. * Previous pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment specifically for gambling disorder (treatment-naive). Inclusion Criteria for Participating Family Members: * 18 years or older. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Is the parent, spouse, or sibling of the participating patient with gambling disorder. * Accompanies the patient during treatment and is affected by the patient's gambling behavior. * Has access to the internet and a smartphone capable of accessing the digital intervention. Exclusion Criteria for Participating Family Members: • The associated patient withdraws from the study or otherwise becomes ineligible for continued study participation.

Conditions

Gambling Disorder Gambling

Locations

dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital — Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta Special Capital Region, Indonesia

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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