A Gamblers Gain?

Repeated exposure to addictive substances can lead to an implicit ‘approach-bias’ – the automatic tendency to approach rather that avoid substance-related stimuli. This study will test whether problem gamblers’ approach bias towards gambling cues can be retrained using an online approach bias modification procedure, and whether this will affect gambling behavior. Participants are 88 community-recruited problem gamblers selected based on a score of 3 or greater on the Problem Gambling Severity Index. ​In order to be eligible to participate, problem gamblers must have gambled at least three times in the past two months and are not actively involved in any form of gambling treatment, or otherwise attempting to reduce or quit gambling. Upon completing a baseline assessment, participants are randomly assigned to either the approach bias training intervention or to a sham training and complete four training sessions, followed by a follow-up assessment session after two weeks. Each training session starts with a personalized motivational feedback on participants’ beliefs and motives to change their gambling behavior. Main outcome measures are gambling behavior and gambling-related approach bias and implicit associations. We will also explore effects on craving, gambling cognitive distortions and readiness to change.

1.We expect participants in the experimental condition to show a reduced gmbling behaviour

2. We expect participants in the experimental condition to show a decrease in approach bias towards gambling cues, and weaker approach implicit associations with gambling cues.

3. We will also explore intervention effects on craving and any change in readiness to change and gambling cognitive distortions.

Baseline (T0) and follow-up 14 days after last training (T1)

Motivating feedback (for experimental and control condition) and an Approach Bias Modification training (for experimental condition, placebo training for control condition)