Models for Multi-site Problem Gambling Clinical Trials

Abstract

Efficacy, effectiveness and outcome studies of problem gambling treatment are limited. Systemic barriers to the development of evidence-based treatments for problem gambling include but are not limited to: low sample sizes, heterogeneous samples, lack of protocol driven treatments, single site clinical trials, lack of replication of studies by independent investigators and high rates of nonspecific treatment response. Increased collaboration among problem gambling treatment providers and investigators is necessary to overcome the systemic barriers and establish evidence-based treatments for problem gambling. Established models for provider and research collaborations are available in the fields of mental health and addictions. Development of a multi-site gambling treatment research network would facilitate development of evidence-based treatments, but require funding for the development of common assessment measures, information systems, training programs and communication networks.