Efficacy of a randomized controlled trial of integrative couple treatment for pathological gambling (ICT-PG): 10-month follow-up.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 91(4), Apr 2023, 221-233; doi:10.1037/ccp0000765Objective: Assess the efficacy of integrative couple treatment for pathological gambling (ICT-PG) in comparison to treatment provided in an individual approach. Method: Eighty couples were assigned randomly to ICT-PG (n = 44, Mage = 42.2, SD [13.4], n male gamblers = 29) or individual treatment (n = 36, Mage = 39.9 SD [13.0], n male gamblers = 31) with follow-ups at 4- and 10-months postadmission regarding the severity of gambling, the individual and couple’s well-being. Linear mixed and generalized estimating equation models for repeated measures were applied to take into account the dependency of observations. Protocol was preregistered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT02240485). Results: Participants in both treatments generally improved over time with reductions on gambling expanses from an initial $4,000–$600 in a 90-day period following treatment, without difference across treatment conditions in money spent on gambling or frequency of gambling. However, on different indices of gambling severity, the participants in ICT-PG showed more improvement at follow-ups, with better control capacity (OR = 2.57, p

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology - December 15, 2022 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research