2023/2024

Major Grants

Help on Demand: Development of a Personalized Gambling Self-Help Smartphone App (#100)

Project Approved 2023-24

Dr. David C Hodgins (Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
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Mr. Brad W. Brazeau (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
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Dr. John A. Cunningham (Co-Principal Investigator)
National Addictions Centre
King’s College, London
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Description

Evidence-based digital self-help apps for gambling problems are few in number but effective for those that engage with them; however, user engagement remains low. Efforts to increase engagement via clinician contact has mixed evidence and negates many benefits of self-help (e.g., privacy, accessibility, independence). The current study proposes to translate an existing evidence-based workbook into a smartphone app by modifying features (e.g., notifications) and allowing for user personalization, which is expected to maintain the benefits and cost-effectiveness of self-help without more demand for user motivation, external resources, or clinician support.

Timeframe: December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025

Our project aims to develop and conduct effectiveness testing for a tailored self-directed mobile app for gambling problems. Over the past year, that intervention was developed using third-party software procured through MetricWire. Content of the intervention was evidence-based and derived from previous work in our lab, including a paperback self-directed workbook and a static online workbook from AGRI Grant #95. We conducted preliminary feasibility testing with a small sample of Canadian adults (N=30) with past or present gambling problems. Users had access to a fully functional app prototype for two weeks. Users then provided qualitative and quantitative feedback through surveys, and a subset of the sample (n=8) participated in a virtual focus group. Overall, we received a positive evaluation of the app, especially for information quality and ease of use. There were mixed reviews about other features (e.g., daily diary). In any case, our results provided justification to proceed with larger scale effectiveness testing. The results of the app development and feasibility testing were presented at the recent AGRI conference (April 2025), and a manuscript was recently submitted for publication. 

Following feasibility testing, the app prototype was refined for larger scale effectiveness testing. Last year, we launched the nationwide randomized controlled trial. Recruitment is currently ongoing, with 122 participants enrolled at this time. Although not part of the current grant, the app we developed was also refined for use as part of the ANP II project in another national randomized controlled trial.

Data collection regarding effectiveness is still underway, and feasibility testing was only recently completed, so the full impact of our project has yet to be realized. However, we expect this project to be impactful. To our knowledge, it is the first endeavour to create an evidence-based mobile app for gambling problems in Canada. Our app is novel insofar as intervention components are prompted in real-time based on personalized data collected via daily diaries. Very few such interventions exist worldwide, but the demand for these interventions is high. In addition to bearing on the research priority area of gambling treatment, our method of data collection (e.g., daily diaries) will yield a very large amount of moment-by-moment data regarding user engagement with the intervention, which could be used for additional projects. User engagement has been a particular challenge in gambling self-help, so these data are sorely needed. Disseminating this research at an international level will ideally spur more research worldwide into tailored gambling interventions and engagement with same.

Brazeau BW, Cunningham JA, Henkel L, Angotti B, & Hodgins DC (2025, April). Help on demand: Development and feasibility testing of a self-help mobile app for gambling problems. Presented at Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI) 24th Annual Conference, Banff, Canada.


Addiction Substitution and Natural Recovery: Using a Pathways Model Lens (#101)

Project Approved 2023-24

Dr. Darren Christensen (Principal Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge
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Dr. Youssef Allami (Co-Principal Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Lethbridge
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Dr. Hyoun S. (Andrew) Kim (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology
University of Calgary
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Dr. David C Hodgins (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
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Description

Most people with problem gambling recover naturally – without seeking treatment – while others develop a new addiction. Studies on addiction substitution and natural recovery find inconsistent results, possibly because of the way they were conducted. This research project will examine these two concepts using a prospective longitudinal design, through the point of view of the Pathways Model of Problem Gambling.

Timeframe: December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2026
 

As of March 31st, 2025, three waves of data collection were completed, slightly exceeding our expectations in terms of sample size. 6,173 participants were recruited at wave 1, 3,669 at wave 2, and 2,981 at wave 3. A final wave is scheduled in Fall 2025. Data have already been cleaned and preliminary results will be presented at the annual AGRI conference in April 2025. All research objectives were attained according to plan, and within estimated timelines. Prelimarily results are also scheduled to be presented at the International Conference on Behavioral Addictions 2025 (July 2025 in Nantes, France). A doctoral student was recruited as a research assistant, allowing them to gain experience with the subject matter and develop collaborations with the research team.

Given that the research project is still underway, we have not yet published any manuscripts in academic journals. These are expected to happen in the next year (final year of the grant). However, preliminary results are already scheduled to be presented at two oral presentations at local and international conferences.