A Smartphone-Delivered Ecological Momentary Intervention for Problem Gambling (GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge): Single-Arm Acceptability and Feasibility Trial

Background Low uptake rates of traditional gambling treatments highlight the need for innovative treatment modalities. Smartphone apps can provide unprecedented access to real-time ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) delivered in people’s everyday lives. Objective This study aims examine acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge, first smartphone app–delivered EMI that prevent episodes by reducing craving intensity people seeking help problems. Methods was a single-arm, 5-week acceptability feasibility trial (1-week baseline 4-week intervention periods) involving assessments (EMAs) 3 times daily. The EMAs measured episodes, cravings, self-efficacy. Web-based evaluations at baseline, postintervention, 1-month follow-up outcomes (severity, frequency, expenditure, self-efficacy) intervention’s perceived helpfulness, relevance, burden, satisfaction, impact relation cravings. Results A total 36 participants, whom 22/36 (61%) were male 34/36 (94%) problem gamblers, completed measures, with 61% (22/36) completing postintervention evaluation 58% (21/36) evaluation. considered acceptable, as participants all content be above average helpfulness EMA highly relevant but somewhat burdensome. Participants reported they satisfied improved their knowledge, attitudes, awareness, behavior change, intention help-seeking Regarding compliance (51%) (15%) low; however, used 166 times, including 59 uses within 60 minutes completion 107 on-demand uses. effectiveness, descriptive data showed that, compared period, 71% 72% reductions number occurrences respectively. In addition, clustered paired-sample two-tailed t tests revealed significant 5.4% reduction (P=.01) immediately after use, which increased 10.5% (P=.01), where use recommended based on occurrence. At group level, medium-to-large observed mean symptom severity (P=.01 .003), cravings (P=.03 .02), frequency .004), expenditure (P=.04 .003) follow-up; moreover, self-efficacy .01) (P=.04) follow-up. individual over quarter (6/22, 27% 10/21, 48%) could categorized recovered or regarding Conclusions results support this app-delivered preventing through management problems, has implications extending reach evidence-based moments vulnerability