NCT06963931

Change 4 Better (C4B)

Change 4 Better (C4B): A Smartphone App to Address Problem Gambling

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 128 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Yale University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of the Change4Better (C4B) mobile app at reducing the severity of problem gambling as compared to standard treatment as usual (TAU).

Detailed description

This study is a 6-month randomized clinical trial for individuals with a gambling disorder enrolled in or seeking treatment for problem gambling at an outpatient treatment facilities affiliated with the Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Programs in Connecticut. The purpose is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based mobile app (Change4Better; C4B), as an adjunct to treatment as usual (TAU) in community-based outpatient treatment programs. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either: (1) standard treatment as usual (TAU) or (2) TAU plus access to the Change4Better (C4B) mobile app. TAU will consist of standard services provided at outpatient clinics within the Bettor Choice Programs. Clinicians providing TAU within the Bettor Choice Program will not be participants in the research trial, and they will not be asked to perform any additional duties outside of their typical services. Participants assigned to C4B will receive TAU plus access to the C4B mobile app, which they can access as often as desired using their own device. The C4B mobile app will be managed by the Yale research team.

Conditions

• Problem Gambling

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Change4Better (C4B) mobile app	The content of the C4B app is designed to teach key CBT strategies to address gambling behaviors. The content targets concerns that people with gambling problems often experience (gambling debts, cognitive distortions related to gambling - for example, how unrelated events might be related to gambling outcomes). We have designed the content such that people using the app can see the pattern of progress, identify mistakes and setbacks, and learn from common experiences of people with gambling disorder

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2025-05-09
• Last updated: 2025-05-09

Locations

4 sites across 1 country: United States