An interventional study of Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder and standart pharmacotherapy in Gambling Addiction, Gambling Disorder and Gambling Disorder Treatment, sponsored by Ege University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-05.
Sponsored by Ege University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program focused on self-stigma could help reduce both self-stigma and gambling disorder severity in adults diagnosed with gambling disorder.
The main questions it aimed to answer were:
Did self-stigma-focused CBT lower self-stigmatizing thoughts in individuals with gambling disorder? Did the severity of gambling disorder symptoms decrease after the intervention? Did these changes remain stable after the treatment ended? Did self-stigma play a role in how the treatment worked? Participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Completed assessments before the treatment, after the treatment, and during the 1 month follow-up period.
Participants in the intervention group:
Received four sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (face-to-face or online) targeting self-stigmatizing thoughts related to gambling Researchers compared the intervention and control groups to observe whether self-stigmatization affected treatment outcomes. Surveys used in this study included a self-stigma scale and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS).
A total of 26 participants (13 in each group) were enrolled in the study; in addition, 3 extra participants per group were included to account for possible dropouts.
The results were analyzed using statistical methods.
The total duration of the study is 13 months, from March 2024 to April 2025. The stages of the study were planned according to weeks (W). The timeline and phases of the study are as follows:
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Assessment Session and Pre-Test Measurements
The steps of the assessment session (clinical evaluation) are as follows:
Intervention (Psychotherapy Sessions): Self-Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder (SSCBT-GD) The SSCBT-GD intervention will be conducted with participants in the intervention group according to a structured protocol, scheduled at mutually agreed dates and times. Each psychotherapy session will be conducted approximately one week apart. The duration of each session is 60 minutes. The intervention consists of a total of four sessions, unless otherwise interrupted (e.g., participant rescheduling a session).
Intervention Plan:
Session 1: Psychoeducation I • Addressing Gambling Disorder from a bio-psycho-social perspective.
Materials:
Operant learning model of Gambling Disorder, progressive model of stigma, progressive model of self-stigma, bio-psycho-social CBT model.
Session 2: Psychoeducation II
Materials:
Emotion-thought-behavior connection, thought and emotion analysis, evidence vs. counter-evidence examples and practice, thought-emotion reevaluation.
Session 3: Psychoeducation III • Aligning behaviors with personal values.
Materials:
Values model, summary reminder, vicious cycle diagram.
Session 4: Psychoeducation IV • Exploring the interaction between emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. • Increasing awareness of personal life patterns and experiences. • Discussing foresight and preventative strategies.
Materials:
Integrated summary of addiction and self-stigma, example triggering thoughts, relapse prevention form.
Homework Assignments Homework is a technique commonly used in CBT interventions to reinforce therapeutic gains. Its goal is to support participants in internalizing the intervention content by engaging with the material between sessions. These assignments remain with the participant and serve as a summary of their therapeutic journey.
Participants who attended only one, two, or three psychotherapy sessions were not considered to have completed the intervention. Only those who participated in all four sessions were deemed to have completed it.
Treatment as Usual (TAU):
Throughout the SSCBT-GD intervention, all participants in both the experimental and control groups continued to receive TAU from the addiction outpatient clinic. The content and duration of TAU were determined individually by the clinic psychiatrist. TAU primarily consisted of medical treatment and motivational interviewing when necessary.
Post-Intervention and Follow-Up Assessments The Self-Stigma Scale and South Oaks Gambling Screen were used as measurement tools for both post-intervention and follow-up assessments. These assessments were conducted simultaneously for participants in both the experimental and control groups.
Post-intervention assessments (t1) were conducted four weeks after the start of the intervention (the date of the first psychotherapy session was considered the start date).
Follow-up assessments (t2) were conducted four weeks after the post-intervention assessments.
158 studies on the registry are indexed under Gambling; 42 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 26 is below the median of 66 across 128 interventional studies indexed under Gambling.
Browse Gambling studies →Ege University is the lead sponsor of 377 studies on the registry; 48 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in the research arm received "Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder" addition to the standard treatment for Gambling Disorder (GD) provided at the Addiction Clinic. The standard treatment includes the medical treatment for GD and motivational interviews administered by a psychiatrist at the Addiction Clinic where the research is conducted.
Behavioral: Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Gambling Disorder · Drug: standart pharmacotherapy · Behavioral: motivational intervention
Participants in the control group received the standard treatment for Gambling Disorder (GD), as described in the previous paragraph, at the Institute's Addiction Clinic. The duration and type of treatment were tailored to the individual patient by the psychiatrist. During the period when the experimental group received the Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder, the control group participants were placed on the waiting list and did not receive any specific intervention for self-stigma perception.
Drug: standart pharmacotherapy · Behavioral: motivational intervention
The Self Stigma Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder (SSCBT) is a novel intervention designed specifically for this study and has not been previously used or named in existing literature. This 4-session protocol can be integrated into any part of GD treatment. Each session was accompanied by materials specifically designed for that session's content, and assignments related to the session's topics were given at the end of each session. Session 1: Gambling Disorder from a bio-psycho-social perspective, stigma and self-stigma, CBT introduction, cognitive-behavioral model of self-stigmatization, impact of emotions and cognitive distortions. S. 2: Self-stigmatizing thoughts and behaviors, identifying automatic thoughts with cognitive techniques, cognitive awareness, and restructuring with evidence examination. S. 3: Aligning behaviors with values, cognitive restructuring, behavior change, and self-awareness. S. 4: Prevention strategies, relapse prevention planning.
Also known as: SSCBT
All participants continued to receive standard pharmacotherapy from their respective psychiatrists.
All participants continued to receive the standard motivational interviewing intervention for addiction from their psychiatrist.
Change in Self-Stigmatization Score as Measured by the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8)
Self-stigma will be measured using the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Scores range from 36 to 144, with 72 and higher scores indicating severe self-stigmatization. Changes from baseline (Week0) to post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8) will be analyzed.
Time frame: post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8)
Change in Gambling Severity Score as Measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Baseline (Week 0) to Post-treatment (Week 4) and Follow-up (Week 8)
Gambling severity will be assessed using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Scores range from 0 to 19, with higher scores indicating greater gambling-related problems. Changes from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up will be analyzed.
Time frame: post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8)
"Participants were recruited from the Addiction Unit of the Institute on Drug Abuse, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ege University between March 2024 and April 2025. Recruitment involved face-to-face and telephone screening of patients diagnosed with Gambling Disorder during routine outpatient admissions. Screening continued until the required sample size was reached.
| Milestone | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 13 | 13 |
| Completed | 13 | 13 |
| Not completed | 0 | 0 |
Self-stigma will be measured using the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS). Scores range from 36 to 144, with 72 and higher scores indicating severe self-stigmatization. Changes from baseline (Week0) to post-treatment (Week 4) and follow-up (Week 8) will be analyzed.
| Self Stigma Scale Scores | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| post intervention (t1) | 82.77 ± 24.43 | 110.3 ± 17 |
| follow up (t2) | 80.38 ± 21.25 | 105.92 ± 18.78 |
Gambling severity will be assessed using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Scores range from 0 to 19, with higher scores indicating greater gambling-related problems. Changes from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up will be analyzed.
| South Oaks Gambling Screen Scores | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group |
|---|---|---|
| post intervention (t1) | 3.77 ± 1.96 | 7.38 ± 4.19 |
| follow up (t2) | 4.46 ± 2.87 | 5.31 ± 2.62 |
Mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether \[Self Stigma score change, M\] mediates the effect of \[being intervention group or control group, X\] on \[south oaks gambling screen score change, Y\]. Change scores from baseline (week 0) to post-intervention (week 4) (t1 - t0) were used in the analysis. Used Process Macro Model 4.
| beta coefficient -Scores Changes (t1-t0) | All Participants |
|---|---|
| Direct Effect X= group type (intervention or control) to Y= SOGS scores changes | -2.11 (-5.17 to 0.94) |
| X= group type (intervention or control) to M= SSS score changes | -32.38 (-45.93 to -18.83) |
| M= SSS score changes to Y= SOGS scores changes | 0.14 (0.08 to 0.21) |
Collected over from baseline measures until end of follow up, up to 8 weeks. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental (Intervention) Group | 0/13 (0%) | 0/13 (0%) | 0/13 (0%) |
| Control Group | 0/13 (0%) | 0/13 (0%) | 0/13 (0%) |
Baseline analyses included only participants who met the predefined eligibility criteria for the study: having a current diagnosis of Gambling Disorder and scoring 72 or above on the Self-Stigma Scale at baseline (T0). Participants who did not meet these criteria or had incomplete baseline assessments were excluded from the baseline analysis population.
| Age, Continuous(years) | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 36.5 ± 9.77 | 30 ± 4.8 | 33.25 ± 7.7 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Male | 13 | 11 | 24 |
| Self-Stigma Scale(self stigma scale score) | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 118.15 ± 13 | 113.31 ± 13 | 115.73 ± 13 |
| South Oaks Gambling Screen(South Oaks Gamblin Screen Score) | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 14.25 ± 2 | 10.85 ± 1.6 | 12.55 ± 1.83 |
| Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants) | Experimental (Intervention) Group | Control Group | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count of participants | — | — | 0 |
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Undecided — As the study has not yet been published, the plan to share individual participant data (IPD) is to be determined after the publication of the results.
Ran from Apr 2024 to primary completion in Sep 2024, 5 months.
Results were first posted in Feb 2026, 1 year 4 months after primary completion.
Of 47 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Gambling, half reached primary completion within 16 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 51. This study's 5 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 47 studies reached it within 16 months; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 51.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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