Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
06:01
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling
Sean Cowlishaw1, Stephanie Merkouris, Nicki Dowling
1School of Psychology and Psychiatry,Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Shane.Thomas@monash.edu
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|November 16, 2012
Summary
Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) effectively reduces gambling symptoms immediately after treatment, but long-term effects are unknown. Motivational interviewing therapy shows some promise for reducing gambling behavior, though more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pathological and problem gambling are significant issues requiring effective interventions.
- Randomized trials have evaluated various psychological therapies for gambling disorders.
- A synthesis of high-quality evidence is needed to guide clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence from randomized trials on the efficacy of psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling.
- To assess the durability of therapy effects over time.
- To compare different therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing therapy, and integrative therapy.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of multiple databases (CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) and clinical trial registries was conducted.
- Included studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating psychological therapies for pathological or problem gamblers.
- Data on gambling severity, financial loss, and frequency were extracted, with meta-analysis used to synthesize results.
Main Results:
- Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) demonstrated significant medium to very large effects in reducing gambling symptom severity and financial loss immediately post-treatment.
- Motivational interviewing therapy showed preliminary evidence of reduced financial loss and gambling frequency, but effects on other symptoms were not significant.
- Integrative therapies and other psychological therapies showed limited or insufficient evidence due to few studies and low-quality evidence.
Conclusions:
- CBT is effective in reducing gambling behavior and symptoms in the short term, but its long-term efficacy remains undetermined.
- Motivational interviewing therapy may offer some benefits for gambling behavior, but further research is required.
- Evidence for integrative and other psychological therapies is currently insufficient to draw firm conclusions, and many studies had a high risk of bias.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a versatile, nonmedical approach aimed at helping individuals address emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal issues to enhance their overall well-being. It can involve one-on-one sessions, couples counseling, or small group discussions with a therapist. The therapeutic process includes various techniques such as open discussion, interpretation of thoughts and behaviors, active listening, positive reinforcement, and role modeling. Psychotherapy aims to support individuals in...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
01:22Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:26Group Therapy
Group therapy is a sociocultural approach to psychological treatment, where individuals with shared psychological challenges come together under the guidance of a mental health professional. This therapeutic modality offers unique opportunities for individuals to connect, share, and grow within the context of a supportive group. By fostering mutual understanding and collaboration, group therapy can address a range of psychological concerns effectively, often complementing or surpassing the...