Table 2.
Characteristics of the included studies and their population
| Article | Country | Follow-up | Sample size | Demographics (mean age, gender, ethnicity) | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilsson et al., 2019 [35] | Sweden | 12 months | 136 |
35.6 years 81.6% males |
Scoring ≥5 in PGSI, live in Sweden, understand and write Swedish and be aged at least 18 years. | Severe psychiatric disorders. |
| Penna et al., 2018 [28] | Brazil | 8 weeks | 59 |
54.03 years 57.6% males 78% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-5 criteria, ability to understand the purpose of the study, physically able to engage in physical activity, for female patients a negative pregnancy test. | Severe psychiatric disorder or other medical condition requiring inpatient treatment. |
| Casey et al., 2017 [25] | Australia | 12 months | 174 |
44.37 years 40.98% males 79.62% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-5 criteria, over 18 years of age, reside in Australia | Receiving additional treatments, involved in legal proceedings, not proficient with English, at a high risk of suicide; were acutely psychotic, or if their gambling behaviour only occurred during manic episodes. |
| Bouchard et al., 2017 [20] | Canada | 2 weeks | 25 |
47 years 50% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-5 criteria and be treated at Centre CASA or Maison Jean-Lapointe in Canada | ━ |
| Smith et al., 2015 [47] | Australia | 9 months | 99 |
46.49 years 49.43% males |
Scoring ≥8 in SOGS, 18 years of age or older, gambling with electronic gaming machines, gambled in the past month | Being suicidal, exhibiting acute psychosis or mania or experiencing significant mental distress, psychological treatment for problem gambling in the previous 12 months |
| Lee et al., 2014 [18] | Canada | 2 months | 16 |
49.1 years 66% males 73% caucasians |
One or both spouses diagnosed according DSM-IV criteria, gambled in the past 2 months, be at least 18 years of age and committed couple relationship | Suicidal ideation, attempt at suicide or psychotic symptoms for the past month, recurring intimate partner violence or receiving additional treatments |
| Grant et al., 2011 [38] | United States | 6 months | 68 |
49.01 years 66% males 94.12% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV criteria and gambled at least 1 time per week for the past 2 months | Past 3-month substance use disorder, positive urine drug screen, current pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy for GD, previous GA attendance, any clinically significant suicidal ideation or current use of psychotropic medications |
| Myrseth et al., 2011 [31] | Norway | 6 months | 30 |
32.8 years 86.67% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV, minimum age of 18 years, not having used SSRIs for the last 6 months | Suffering from epilepsy or liver/kidney disorders, evidence of psychosis or mental disorders, alcohol or drug dependency |
| Marceaux et al., 2010 [48] | United States | 6 months | 49 |
46.57 years 34.69% males 85.71% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV and at least 21 years of age | ━ |
| Grant et al., 2009 [39] | United States | 8 weeks | 68 |
48.7 years 36.8% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV and had gambled at least once per week for the past 2 months | Past 3-month substance use disorder, positive urine drug screen at screening, current psychotherapy or medication for GD, previous GA attendance or suicidal intentions |
| Myrseth et al., 2009 [29] | Canada | 3 months | 14 |
37.43 years 78.57% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV, ≥5 in SOGS and over 18 years of age | Suffer from any type of substance abuse or from any psychotic disorder |
| Carlbring et al., 2009 [36] | Sweden | 12 months | 150 |
40.5 years 83.5% males |
Scoring ≥5 on NODS, speak Swedish and ability to complete self-report questionnaires | Suicidal ideation, unwillingness to be randomized, medication for anxiety and/or depression, drug and/or alcohol dependence, or major mental disorders |
| Cunningham et al., 2009 [21] | Canada | 3 months | 49 |
44.41 years 48.11% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV criteria and interested in participating in the study | ━ |
| Carlbring et al., 2008 [37] | Sweden | 36 months | 66 |
31.9 years 94% males |
Scoring ≥5 on NODS, at least 18 years of age, live in Sweden and have gambled at least once in the past 30 days | Having > 21 on MADRS depression scale, > 4 on the suicide item or playing computer games without betting money |
| Dowling et al., 2007 [16] | Australia | 6 months | 56 |
43.58 years 100% females |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV criteria | ━ |
| Petry et al., 2006 [41] | United States | 12 months | 231 |
44.87 years 54.98% males 84.42% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV criteria, gambled in the past 2 months, were 18 years or older, and ability to read | Current suicidal intentions, past-month psychotic symptoms, or already receiving gambling treatment |
| Melville et al., 2004 [14] | United States | 6 months | 19 |
52.58 years 15.79% males 89% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV criteria and SOGS | ━ |
| Ladouceur et al., 2003 [49] | Canada | 24 months | 71 |
43.41 years 77.97% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV and willingness to undergo randomization | Evidence of current or past schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or organic mental disorder |
| Ladouceur et al., 2001 [50] | Canada | 12 months | 101 |
41.98 years 82.81% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-IV and be willing to undergo randomization | Evidence of immediate suicidal intent or current or past schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or organic mental disorder |
| Sylvain et al., 1997 [51] | Canada | 12 months | 29 |
40.19 years 100% males 100% caucasians |
Diagnostic according DSM-III criteria, seeking help for gambling problems and rate motivation to change ≥7 (0–10) | ━ |
| Echeburua et al., 1996 [6] | Spain | 12 months | 64 |
35 years 44.44% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-III criteria, ≥8 in SOGS and gamble primarily with slot machines | Suffering from other psychopathological disorders |
| McConaghy et al., 1991 [52] | Australia | 2–9 years | 120 |
42.53 years 90.83% males |
Diagnostic according DSM-III criteria | Untreated active psychosis |
NODS National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems, SOGS South Oaks Gambling Screen, DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, PGSI Problem Gambling Severity Index, MADRS The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, GD Gambling Disorder, GA Gamblers Anonymous, SSRIs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors