Digital escape-room program (GAMBL-OUT) to prevent gambling and a survey of post-COVID gambling habits
Evaluation of the Gambling Habits of Adolescents and Young Adults Post-COVID-19 and Implementation of a Digital Escape Room Intervention for Preventing Gambling in High School Students: a Mixed-methods Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial (GAMBL-OUT Project)
This project will test whether a digital escape-room program can help prevent gambling in 16–18 year-old high school students in Aragon while also checking recent gambling habits in the region since COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hospital Miguel Servet Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zaragoza) |
| Trial ID | NCT06904794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project combines a regional survey of recent gambling habits with a classroom-delivered digital escape-room intervention called GAMBL-OUT aimed at prevention. High school students aged 16–18 who can read Spanish will be invited to participate and provide informed consent. The intervention is delivered in school settings and outcomes will be compared against pre-pandemic data where available. Follow-up measures will examine short-term changes in knowledge, attitudes, and reported gambling behavior.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 16–18 year-old high school students in Aragon who can read Spanish and are willing to sign informed consent.
Not a fit: People younger than 16 or older than 18, those not in high school, those who cannot read Spanish, or individuals with established severe gambling disorders needing clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit from this preventative program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce the onset of risky gambling behaviors among participating teens and increase their awareness of gambling risks.
How similar studies have performed: Classroom-based prevention programs and serious games have shown promising results in past work, but digital escape rooms for preventing addictive behaviors are relatively novel and not widely studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Only high school students aged between 16 and 18 * Being able to read and understand the Spanish language * Willingness to participate in the study and sign the written informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Age: \<16 years old, or \>18 years old
Where this trial is running
Zaragoza
- Department of Psychiatry. Miguel Servet University Hospital — Zaragoza, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Javier García Campayo
- Email: investigaprimaria@gmail.com
- Phone: 976 50 65 78
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.