Augmenting an online self-directed intervention for gambling disorder with a single motivational interview: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Despite the success of gold standard cognitive-behavioral therapy for problem and disordered gambling, the majority of individuals with gambling problems do not seek or receive professional treatment. Thus, the development of less intrusive self-directed interventions has been encouraged. Bibliotherapy for problem gambling has shown promise, both alone and in combination with motivational interviews, but there is still a lack of online self-directed intervention research. The current randomized controlled trial proposes to assess the additive benefit of a single digital motivational interview delivered in conjunction with an online self-directed treatment program for problem gambling and gambling disorder. Methods A two-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted, wherein eligible participants (N=270) will be recruited across Canada via internet advertisements posted to several platforms. All participants will receive access to an online self-directed gambling intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either complete the online program alone or receive a digital motivational interview, conducted through an online audioconferencing platform (i.e., Microsoft Teams) to supplement the online program. The primary outcomes of gambling severity, frequency, and expenditures will be tracked along with secondary outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, general distress, alcohol use, and online program user data) over a 24-month period. It is expected that participants in both groups will experience a reduction in symptoms across the board, but more substantial improvements will be observed in the group that receives a supplemental motivational interview. Discussion The results of this trial will expand upon prior gambling intervention research by informing best practices for the provision of online self-help for problem gambling. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN13009468 . Registered on 7 July 2020

Open Science Student Support Group

This OSF page contains all the files and information created by and for the Open Science Student Support Group (OSSSG). The purpose of the OSSSG is to help each other (as undergraduate, honours and graduate students and research assistants) make our research projects ‘more open’. We adopt a broad definition of Open Science, which includes many practices and initiatives aimed at making research more accessible, transparent, inclusive, replicable and reliable, and creating a research culture that fosters diversity and local & global collaboration between those doing and being impacted by research. This initiative aims to provide information and resources to learn about Open Science practices and their importance, practical steps to start implementing these practices and a community of support for dealing with difficulties and barriers to engaging with Open Science, and doing research in general

Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference 2024: Trends & Challenges in Gambling Research

The Institute’s 2024 Conference "Trends & Challenges in Gambling Research" took place April 11-13, 2024 at The Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta as a live event. A selection of conference presentations presented at the event have been made available with the permission of the authors.Alberta Gambling Research InstituteAlberta Gambling Research Institut

Alberta Gambling Research Institute Conference 2021: Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions

Conference presentations and research posters presented at the event made available with the permission of the authors.The Alberta Gambling Research Institute's 20th Annual Conference "Gambling in Canada: Current Research & Future Directions" took place April 27-29, 2021 as a live virtual event. A selection of conference presentations and research posters presented at the event have been made available with the permission of the authors