Efficacy of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling in Switzerland: study protocol of a two-armed randomised controlled trial

Baumgartner, Christian; Bilevicius, Elena; Khazaal, Yasser; Achab, Sophia; Schaaf, Susanne; Wenger, Andreas; Haug, Severin; Keough, Matthew; Hodgins, David; Schaub, Michael P

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032110

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Baumgartner, C., Bilevicius, E., Khazaal, Y., Achab, S., Schaaf, S., Wenger, A., Haug, S., Keough, M., Hodgins, D., & Schaub, M. P. (2019). Efficacy of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling in Switzerland: study protocol of a two-armed randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 9(12), e032110. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032110

Abstract

Introduction The past-year prevalence of problem gambling worldwide averages 2.3%. Switzerland exhibits a slightly lower past-year prevalence rate, of 1.1%, among adults. Only a minority of these adults attend outpatient treatment. Surveyed problem gamblers have explained that they wanted to handle the problem on their own. The option of a web-based self-help programme could potentially reach those users who hesitate to approach treatment centres and help them to reduce or stop their problem gambling. The effectiveness of such web-bas