Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical effects of digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults with gambling disorder involving online gambling in Indonesia. Twenty patient-family dyads will be enrolled. Patients with gambling disorder will be randomized to receive either 12 sessions of digital CBT or 12 individualized face-to-face CBT sessions over approximately 6 weeks. Family members in the digital arm will receive six digital family-intervention sessions over 3 weeks, while family members in the comparator arm will receive the same six-session intervention in printed format. Gambling-related symptoms, urges, cognitions, psychological symptoms, depression, sleep quality, coping, readiness to change, and family-related outcomes will be assessed during treatment. Feasibility and acceptability of the digital interventions will also be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients With Gambling Disorder: * Aged 18 to 59 years. * Positive screening for gambling problems using the validated Indonesian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), with a score of 5 or higher. * Diagnosis of gambling disorder according to ICD-11 criteria confirmed through a psychiatric interview conducted by an addiction psychiatrist. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Has one eligible affected family member who is willing to participate and provide written informed consent. * Has access to the internet and a smartphone capable of accessing the digital intervention. Exclusion Criteria for Patients With Gambling Disorder: * No history of gambling during the previous 6 months. * History of a neuropsychiatric disorder that would interfere with study participation. * Severe mental disorder or intellectual disability preventing adequate completion of study assessments or participation in CBT. * Severe agitation preventing adequate participation in CBT. * Previous pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment specifically for gambling disorder (treatment-naive). Inclusion Criteria for Participating Family Members: * 18 years or older. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Is the parent, spouse, or sibling of the participating patient with gambling disorder. * Accompanies the patient during treatment and is affected by the patient's gambling behavior. * Has access to the internet and a smartphone capable of accessing the digital intervention. Exclusion Criteria for Participating Family Members: • The associated patient withdraws from the study or otherwise becomes ineligible for continued study participation.