Demographic and clinical factors that predict response to drug treatment and placebo in gambling disorder

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Author(s): Huneke, Nathan T. M. ; Chamberlain, Samuel R. ; Baldwin, David S. ; Grant, Jon E.

Journal: Journal of Psychiatric Research

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: November 29, 2021

The placebo effect occurs when patients experience improvements in their symptoms despite the use of a non-active drug. This study explored factors that predicted response to a drug treatment and placebo. The researchers pooled data from six clinical trials that tested different kind of drugs against placebo. In participants who received the drug treatment, those who entered the trial with greater gambling symptoms at baseline and those who completed more weeks of the trial had better treatment response. In participants who received the placebo, stronger placebo effect was seen among those with greater depressive symptoms at baseline and those who were non-Caucasian. Greater anxiety symptoms at baseline reduced the placebo effect.

Citation: Huneke, N. T. M., Chamberlain, S. R., Baldwin, D. S., & Grant, J. E. (2021). Diverse predictors of treatment response to active medication and placebo in gambling disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 144, 96-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.053

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.053

Keywords: gambling disorder ; pharmacology ; pharmacotherapies ; reaction time ; treatment

Topics: Information for Treatment Providers

Conceptual Framework Factors: Biological Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Spain ; United States of America

Study Population: Adults (aged 18–75 years) with a diagnosis of gambling disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. Data came from six pharmacological treatment studies (n = 76, n = 77, n = 28, n = 13, n = 36, and n = 29)

Sampling Procedure: Data were from six pharmacological treatment studies all carried out by the same research team.

Study Funding:

Dr. Huneke’s role in this study was funded by a Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship. Prof. Chamberlain’s role in this study was funded by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellowship.