Brief interventions for problem gambling: A meta-analysis

Brief interventions have been examined as a means to promote early intervention in risky health behaviours like alcohol and drug abuse. The goal of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of the Screening, Brief intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol in reducing gambling behaviour and/or problems, by quantifying the collective effect size associated with these interventions as documented in published literature to date. Empirical support for the therapeutic benefit of brief interventions is necessary to receive merit as an early intervention method in problem gambling. Researchers performed searches for articles published between 1990 to September 1, 2017 in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Additional records were identified from grey literature sources, and the reference lists of two previously published meta-analyses of problem gambling. Experts were also contacted to access to information about any ongoing or unpublished studies The eligibility criteria included (1) English language, (2) a sample comprised of adults aged 16 years or older with gambling problems assessed by a validated measure, (3) randomized control trial study design, (4) in-person individual psychosocial interventions of brief duration, (5) an active or inactive control group, and (6) gambling and/or associated problems as an outcome measure. After applying the selection criteria, seven publications remained to be analyzed. Procedures were consistent with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Data extracted from the publications includes: Study design features (e.g., setting, clinician); Sample features (demographic information, clinical information); Screening instruments used (e.g., PGSI); Intervention details (e.g., components, duration); Outcomes (e.g. instruments, indicators); and Indicators to detect bias (The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool).