S-7E5 Tackling naturally occurring gambling craving among problem gamblers with interference

Background: Gambling craving is an important factor of maintenance and relapse of gambling disorder. A growing body of literature tested interventions targeting substance-related craving and, to a lesser extent, gambling-related craving. Among those methods, interference-based techniques aim at moving resources allocated to the elaboration of craving-related thoughts to a competing task recruiting similar cognitive resources, thus reducing the vividness and overwhelming nature of craving. Despite promising results in laboratory experiments, few studies investigate the relevance of such techniques in real clinical settings. This pilot study aims to test the efficacy of interference-based techniques on gambling craving in a realistic clinical setting. A multiple single case design, easily implementable in treatment, will be used to test interference-based intervention among a small number of adult outpatients with a gambling disorder recruited by clinicians at the Center for Excessive Gambling in Lausanne, Switzerland. Methods: A web-app specifically designed for the study will allow for the assessment of naturally occurring gambling craving and the administration of the techniques through three consecutive phases (one week each): baseline, intervention, and three-month follow-up. Potentially confounding variables will also be measured (e.g. cognitive distortions, impulsivity traits). Results: Data collection has not started. The data analytic strategy will include both visual analyses and inferential tests. Non-overlap of all pairs and slope and level change will be used to estimate the effect-size, and Cohen’s d will be used to summarize treatment effects in each patient. Conclusions: Preliminary results, and efficacy and effectiveness of interference-based treatment will be discussed