Pathological gambling
MONDO:0011662A disorder characterized by a preoccupation with gambling and the excitement that gambling with increasing risk provides. Pathological gamblers are unable to cut back on their gambling, despite the fact that it may lead them to lie, steal, or lose a significant relationship, job, or educational opportunity.
Also known as: compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, gambling, pathologic
59 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types.
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Could zapping the brain curb gambling addiction?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether high-intensity brain stimulation (HI-tACS) can help people with gambling disorder. Researchers will give 60 adults either real or fake stimulation to see if it reduces gambling urges and improves thinking. Participants are followed for three months to che…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Shanghai Mental Health Center • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:07 UTC
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Can virtual reality help curb gambling cravings?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study compares virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) to standard imaginal exposure therapy for people with gambling disorder. Both treatments are combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) over 12 sessions. The goal is to see if VRET is as good as or better than imag…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University Hospital, Lille • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:34 UTC
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Proactive calls aim to curb gambling harms
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether a proactive phone call can help people who gamble heavily to cut back. About 195 high-risk gamblers from Norway's horse racing betting service will be randomly chosen to receive a call offering tips like lowering their loss limit, or to receive no call. R…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University of Bergen • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:31 UTC
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Can cash rewards help rural gamblers beat addiction?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether adding small rewards (contingency management) to standard counseling helps people with gambling disorder stay in treatment and stop gambling. It uses video calls to reach people living in rural or remote areas. About 54 adults with gambling disorder will …
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University of Lethbridge • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:31 UTC
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Brain zaps to kick the habit: TMS trial targets smokers with mental health struggles
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can help people with mental illness quit smoking. Forty daily smokers with psychiatric conditions will receive either TMS or standard care. The goal is to see if TMS is practical and effective in real-…
Phase: PHASE4 • Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:03 UTC
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Escape the gamble: new study tests digital game to prevent teen gambling
Prevention Recruiting nowThis study tests a digital escape room game designed to teach high school students about the risks of gambling. Researchers will compare gambling habits and attitudes between students who play the game and those who don't. The goal is to see if this fun, interactive approach can …
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Hospital Miguel Servet • Aim: Prevention
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:25 UTC
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New program aims to ease mental health struggles by targeting shared roots
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study tests a program called SKILLS that focuses on common factors across different mental health conditions, rather than treating each disorder separately. About 60 adults with stable psychiatric diagnoses will take part. The goal is to see if this approach reduces symptoms…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University Hospital, Tours • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:07 UTC
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Can an app curb gambling addiction? new study seeks answers
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study tests whether a smartphone app called Change4Better (C4B) can help reduce problem gambling compared to standard treatment alone. About 128 adults who gamble and want help will use the app for 6 months. Researchers will track changes in gambling symptoms and how often p…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Yale University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:36 UTC
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Could VR therapy help heal emotional wounds?
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study is testing whether a virtual reality version of a therapy exercise is practical and helpful for adults (ages 18-65) with psychiatric disorders. Participants will try one VR session and answer questions about their experience. The goal is to see if this approach is acce…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University Medical Center Groningen • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:01 UTC
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New online therapy aims to quiet the inner critic
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study is testing a type of talk therapy called Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) delivered over video for people in New York who struggle with worry, overthinking, or being hard on themselves. The goal is to see if the therapy helps people better manage their emotions and fee…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Teachers College, Columbia University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:03 UTC
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New sleep aid studied for those with mental illness
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study looks at how well and how safely a new sleep medication, lemborexant, works for people who have both a mental health condition and trouble sleeping. About 121 adults will take the drug for 8 weeks, and researchers will track changes in their sleep quality and any side …
Sponsor: Shanghai Mental Health Center • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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Sailing therapy: a new wind for psychiatric care?
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis study tests whether sailing can help people with psychiatric disorders feel better. Forty adults in France will either take sailing lessons or continue their usual care. Researchers will measure changes in quality of life, mental well-being, and self-esteem to see if sailing…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Centre hospitalier de Ville-Evrard, France • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:12 UTC
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Can a 48-Hour psychiatrist booking system keep patients out of the ER?
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study compares two ways to help adults with mental health issues get follow-up care. One group gets usual care after an emergency room visit, while the other uses a new system that books a psychiatrist appointment within 48 hours through their general doctor. Researchers wil…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Toulon La Seyne sur Mer • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 14:00 UTC
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Study to uncover hidden mental health struggles in teens at special schools
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study looks at the mental health of 200 teenagers aged 12 to 16 who attend special educational institutes (ITEPs) in France. Researchers will use psychiatric interviews to find out how many have conditions like depression or anxiety. The goal is to better understand their ne…
Sponsor: University Hospital, Rouen • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:05 UTC
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Can data sharing prevent suicide among Jail-Cycling individuals?
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study aims to improve suicide prevention for people who move between healthcare and the criminal-legal system. Researchers will link health records, Medicaid data, and jail booking information to identify individuals at risk and coordinate care. Over 1,000 adults with past p…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Cambridge Health Alliance • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:02 UTC
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New study tests nurse support for Ex-Prisoners' health
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study looks at whether a program with a nurse case manager can help people leaving prison visit a doctor or clinic instead of the emergency room. About 488 adults with a history of substance use and a chronic health condition will take part. Some will get extra support from …
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:01 UTC
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Brain zaps may supercharge emotion control therapy
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study tests whether combining a one-time session of brain stimulation (rTMS or electrical scalp stimulation) with emotion regulation training helps people with mood, anxiety, or related disorders better control their emotions. 240 participants will learn either cognitive res…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Duke University • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:10 UTC
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Late shifts and downtime at work could fuel problem gambling, new study suggests
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study looks at whether working unusual hours or having idle time at work makes people more likely to gamble in risky ways. Researchers will interview 25 adults who currently have or have had gambling problems and who have worked in the past year. The goal is to understand ho…
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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Researchers track behavioral addictions to uncover what drives recovery
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study follows over 2,700 people seeking help for behavioral addictions (like gambling or gaming) at a French hospital. Researchers will track their progress over time to learn what factors influence recovery and how well patients stick with treatment. No new treatments are t…
Sponsor: Nantes University Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:59 UTC
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New program aims to ease Veterans' return from prison
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study is creating a program called START-VET to help veterans with mental illness or substance use disorders who have recently left prison. Researchers will work with 20 veterans to develop transition materials and tools. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce cri…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:52 UTC
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Spit test could take guesswork out of mental health prescriptions
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis pilot study is testing whether a simple saliva test can help doctors prescribe mental health medications more safely and effectively. 200 adults in Manitoba who are starting or changing psychiatric drugs will provide a DNA sample. The results will be shared with their doctor…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University of Manitoba • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 14:55 UTC
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Can training psychiatric staff improve sexual health talks with teens?
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study looks at whether training psychiatric care teams to talk about sexual health with young patients (ages 15 and up) increases those conversations. Researchers will survey 770 teens hospitalized for psychiatric disorders about their sexual health and any side effects from…
Sponsor: Fondation Santé des Étudiants de France • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 13:35 UTC