Sixty-eight individuals were randomised to either six sessions of imaginal
desensitisation plus motivational interviewing (IDMI) or Gamblers Anonymous.
Individuals assigned to IDMI had significantly greater reductions in
Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling
total scores, gambling urges and gambling behaviour. People who failed to
respond to Gamblers Anonymous reported significantly greater reduction in
pathological gambling symptoms following later assignment to IDMI.
Abstinence was achieved by 63.6% during the acute IDMI treatment period.