Exposure Therapy for Gambling Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose of Review Cognitive behaviour therapy is the gold standard for treatment gambling disorder. Obstacles remain regarding its efficacy, namely relapses and difficulty in implementing cognitive restructuring some clients. Given these observations, behavioural interventions disorder, such as exposure therapy, which aims to decrease craving, may be effective a complementary or alternative intervention therapy. This systematic review meta-analysis explore how disorder has been studied evaluate efficacy. To answer questions, 3406 studies, retrieved using PsycNet, Medline Google Scholar, were screened. Recent Findings After two screenings, 13 papers selected five statistically combined meta-analysis. Quantitative results support therapy’s efficacy craving at post-intervention ( g = − 0.955) last follow-up (6 12 months; 1.010). Results also show large severity documented by screening instruments (− 1.087) well time spent 2.136) post-intervention. Furthermore, measured via 1.162) erroneous beliefs 1.308) was found follow-up. Summary first on that reduces cravings severity, beliefs. These are discussed comparison other therapeutic approaches interpreted according high risk bias included studies.