Mindfulness and Cognitive Training in a CBT-resistant Patient With Gambling Disorder: A Combined Therapy to Enhance Self-control

A Self-Applied Psychological Treatment for Gambling-Related Problems via The Internet: A Pilot, Feasibility Study

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an online psychological intervention for individuals with gambling-related problems, supported by ecological momentary assessments and interventions (EMAs and EMIs), along with weekly phone-calls, before conducting a randomized controlled trial. Participants were required to complete 3 of the 8 modules of the program based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and extensions and innovations of CBT. The study measured the outcomes of feasibility (i.e., reach, appropriateness, technology literacy and technology usability, fidelity, and adherence). In terms of reach, 19.8% (n = 11) of the initial population met the inclusion criteria and completed the three modules (mean age = 41; 90.9% men). The perceived appropriateness and the technology usability after the first use were both excellent, fidelity and adherence to the online treatment (73.3%) were adequate. Adherence to the EMAs and the weekly phone calls were more modest (54.51% and 66.67%, respectively). The results of the present study show that an online treatment for gambling problems enhanced by EMA and EMI might be feasible but challenges were noted in terms of reach and adherence to these assessments and calls. These challenges are important to consider for future trials and the scalability of treatments for individuals with gambling disorders.

Altered connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus associated with self-control in adolescents exhibiting problematic smartphone use: A fMRI study

BACKGROUND

With the continued spread of smartphones and development of the internet, the potential negative effects arising from problematic smartphone use (PSU) in adolescents are being reported on an increasing basis. This study aimed to investigate whether altered resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) is related to the psychological factors underlying PSU in adolescents.

METHODS

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were acquired from 47 adolescents with PSU and 46 healthy control adolescents (the CON group). Seed-based functional connectivity analyses were then performed to compare the two groups with respect to rsFC in the right inferior frontal gyrus, associated with various forms of self-control, and rsFC in the left inferior frontal gyrus.

RESULTS

Compared to the CON group, the PSU group exhibited a reduction in rsFC between the right inferior frontal gyrus and limbic areas, including the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, the left amygdala, and the right hippocampus. In addition, a reduction in fronto-limbic rsFC was associated with the severity of PSU, the degree of self-control, and the amount of time the subjects used their smartphones.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents with PSU exhibited reduced levels of fronto-limbic functional connectivity; this mechanism is involved in salience attribution and self-control, attributes that are critical to the clinical manifestation of substance and behavioral addictions. Our data provide clear evidence for alterations in brain connectivity with respect to self-control in PSU.

A qualitative systematic review of neurocognition in suicide ideators and attempters: Implications for cognitive-based psychotherapeutic interventions

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests cognitive deficits may represent neurocognitive markers with predictive utility in identifying those at risk for suicide. Characterizing these deficits may offer the opportunity to develop targeted interventions.

AIM

The aim of this systematic qualitative review is to provide a synthesis of the published data on neurocognition in suicide ideators and attempters in order to clarify which neurocognitive targets may be most relevant to address using cognitive-based psychotherapeutic strategies in patients at risk for suicide.

RESULTS

A total of 63 studies met criteria for inclusion. The most consistent findings were in depressed suicide attempters, where deficits in executive subdomains of inhibition, selective attention and decision-making, as well as in working memory, were identified. In contrast, no clear pattern of neurocognitive deficits emerged from studies in suicide ideators across diagnoses.

CONCLUSIONS

More studies are needed to clarify the role of cognitive deficits in specific subtypes of individuals at risk for suicide. The findings are discussed in the context of promising research on cognitive remediation and other psychological interventions.

Mindfulness in Treatment Approaches for Addiction — Underlying Mechanisms and Future Directions

Purpose of Review

While the treatment of addictive disorders proves to be challenging, new treatment approaches that evolved around the concepts of mindfulness and acceptance have been utilized and investigated in recent years. Our goal is to summarize the efficacy and possible underlying mechanisms of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) in addictive disorders.

Recent Findings

Various meta-analyses have suggested that MBIs show clinical efficacy in the treatment of addictive disorders. Considering the factors that impact addictive disorders, MBIs have been indicated to augment responsiveness to natural rewards in contrast to addiction-related cues as well as to increase top-down cognitive control, decrease subjective and physiological stress perception, and enhance positive affect.

Summary

In summary, MBIs hold promise in treating addictive disorders while larger randomized controlled trials with longitudinal study designs are needed to confirm their utility. Newest clinical endeavors strive to enhance the clinical utility of MBIs by augmentation or personalization.

[Feasibility study of therapeutic exposure in virtual reality for pathological gamblers]

The experiment presented is the result of a partnership between the Paris-Nanterre University (CLIPSYD laboratory, EA 4430) and the CSAPA Imagine (Simone Veil Hospital, GH Eaubonne-Montmorency). Virtual reality immersion exposure for pathological gamblers is beneficial in the context of cognitive and behavioral interventions. It can be used to evoke the desire to play and to have access to automatic thoughts and mistaken beliefs of the players when they find themselves in a gambling context. Exposure is used until the urge to play diminishes and disappears which is the process of desensitization or extinction.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate the possibilities implemented by virtual reality in the case of an exhibition for pathological gamers to create a desire to play and work with the patient in an environment identical to the ecological one. Two hypotheses were proposed. On the one hand, the virtual reality exhibition will help to change the desire to play in relation to the game. On the other hand, virtual exhibition sessions associated with cognitive restructuring will have a greater impact on the perception of reality.

METHOD

After a diagnosis was made, participation in the study was offered to patients (n=10) in routine care and able to participate (exclusion criteria). It consisted of four virtual reality exposure sessions integrated with traditional care. Exposure did not exceed 20minutes. To carry out this study we used the virtual reality headset "Oculus Rift CV1" and the headphones measuring EEG waves, "Emotiv Epoc". A battery of questionnaires were proposed to evaluate gambling-related behaviors (ICJP, GRCS, UPPS), to analyze the interest of the virtual reality exhibition (SIS, CGI, TEI, EVA), and to glimpse the immersion abilities (QEP and QPI).

RESULTS

Ten participants aged 25 to 60 agreed to participate in the study. The results of this study demonstrated the viability of RV gamers' exposure as a tool that can help reduce pathological gambling symptoms and the severity perceived by therapists (CPI: t=1.6, P=0.001; CGI: t=4.87, P=0.001) between the beginning of the care and the end of the care and at D+1. We were also able to observe significant results (P<0.05) concerning a decrease in cognitive distortions (GRCS tot, Illusion of control, Power of prediction, Favorable interpretation).

CONCLUSION

The feasibility study shows that the desire to play is very present during the virtual reality exhibition in accordance with literature studies. The results also demonstrate the utility of virtual reality to allow the patient to elaborate on the cognitive distortions associated with the practice of pathological gambling. From a therapeutic point of view, the results suggest that virtual reality can increase the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring and increase understanding of the urge to play related to stimuli in the environment of play.