Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Problem Gambling

Steven M. de Lisle; Nicki A. Dowling; J. Sabura Allen

doi:10.1177/1534650111401016

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Problem Gambling

Steven M. de Lisle, Nicki A. Dowling, J. Sabura Allen

Clinical Case Studies March 7, 2011 DOI: 10.1177/1534650111401016 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size	1
Population	A female problem gambler
Duration	Pretreatment, posttreatment, 4-week follow-up, and 10-week follow-up
Measures	Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory—II, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Topics	Meditation
Citations	93
Key findings	The participant abstained from gambling, and anxiety and depression scores significantly reduced to subclinical levels over the assessment period. Mindfulness facets suggested MBCT-PG may promote acceptance of distressing thoughts and emotions, though the participant did not maintain intensive mindfulness practice during follow-up.

Abstract

This article describes treatment of a female problem gambler using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The treatment protocol was adapted for problem gamblers from the manualized MBCT intervention developed by Segal, Williams, and Teasdale. Gambling behavior and mindfulness practice were monitored using daily diary entries maintained by the participant. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory—II, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire were administered at pretreatment, posttreatment, 4-week follow-up, and 10-week follow-up phases. The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire was also used to assess acceptability of the intervention. The participant abstained from gambling, and anxiety and depression scores significantly reduced to subclinical levels over the assessment period. Exploration of mindfulness facets revealed that MBCT for problem gambling (MBCT-PG) may be useful in promoting acceptance of distressing thoughts and emotions. However, the participant did not maintain an intensive mindfulness-meditation practice over the follow-up phase of the intervention. The clinical implications of this case study are discussed.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on meditation, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self Advanced meditator	2001	Case study	n = 1
Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study Adult alcohol-dependent graduates of an intensive outpatient program	2008	Prospective case series	n = 19
How does it feel to lack a sense of boundaries? A case study of a long-term mindfulness meditator. A single long-term mindfulness practitioner (S) with 40 years of practice in...	2015	Qualitative case study	n = 1
Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia Individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative...	2009	Case study
Mindfulness Training in UK Secondary Schools: a Multiple Case Study Approach to Identification of Cornerstones of Implementation Head teachers, senior leadership team members, and staff involved in or exposed to...	2018	Qualitative case study

Citations in the library

Cited by 5

Cites 22

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