The impact of an exercise program as a treatment for gambling disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Physical activity has been shown to lead to an array of improvements in physical and psychological functioning. It is unknown, however, whether an exercise program may have utility as a standalone treatment of gambling disorder due to the paucity of studies, small sample sizes and lack of control groups. The aim of the present research was to address these empirical gaps by conducting a randomized controlled trial testing the effects of exercise for the treatment of gambling disorder compared to an active control group (stretching). The primary outcomes were gambling severity and psychiatric comorbidities, while the secondary outcome consisted of gambling craving. Fifty-nine participants with a confirmed diagnosis of gambling disorder underwent eight weeks of exercise, consisting of 50-min sessions (10-min stretching plus 40-min running at 70-85% of the estimated maximum heart rate for age, twice a week) (n = 32) or 50-min group stretching sessions twice a week (n = 27). Gambling-related constructs were measured using psychometrically sound measures. Psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using structured clinical interviews. Cooper's test and heart rate monitors were used to ensure participants met the target heart rate. The results found an overall time effect on both primary and secondary outcomes. No significant differences were observed between the treatment and control group in gambling severity. Conversely, greater improvements in psychiatric comorbidities were observed for the treatment group. The results suggest that exercise may represent a cost-effective and accessible adjunctive intervention in the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric comorbidities among people with GD.