Comparación entre tratamientos cognitivo-conductuales, cognitivos y conductuales para el juego patológico y factores asociados a la eficacia: una revisión sistemática: Comparing cognitive-behavioral, cognitive, and behavioral treatments for pathological gambling and factors associated with therapeutic success: a systematic review

María Elena Cuevas Álvarez; Roberto  Oropeza Tena; María Luisa Avalos Latorre; Marina Liliana González Torres; Reyna Jazmín Martínez Arriaga

doi:10.33064/53crscsh8320

Authors

María Elena Cuevas Álvarez UMSNH https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2111-3605
Roberto Oropeza Tena Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2561-2164
María Luisa Avalos Latorre Universidad de Guadalajara, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1183-1518
Marina Liliana González Torres Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-6274
Reyna Jazmín Martínez Arriaga Universidad de Guadalajara, México. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0146-7660

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33064/53crscsh8320

Keywords:

Juego patológico, intervenciones psicológicas, resultados terapéuticos, evaluación de la eficacia., revisión sistemática, Pathological gambling, psychological interventions, therapeutic outcomes, efficacy evaluation, systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the efficacy of randomized controlled trials and efficacy studies of three therapeutic approaches for pathological gambling: behavioral, cognitive, and cognitive-behavioral. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of treatment completion rates, significant clinical change, therapeutic goals, modality (individual or group), and the use of manuals, as well as identifying the most frequently used treatment techniques across the three approaches. An article search was conducted in the Dialnet, SciELO, PubMed, Latindex, Science Direct, SpringerLink, and PsycNET databases (between 2000 and 2025). Twelve articles meeting the requested criteria were identified. The review confirmed the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and cognitive approaches with completion rates and clinical change slightly higher than those previously identified in prior studies. However, each approach showed distinct characteristics: the behavioral approach is effective in the short term for retention and achieving significant clinical changes, but its benefits do not endure; the cognitive approach achieved lasting results regarding significant clinical changes, but with high dropout rates; the cognitive-behavioral approach showed intermediate efficacy in treatment completion and follow-up and less achievement of significant clinical changes. The therapeutic goal of abstinence and/or controlled gambling generated the best clinical outcomes. The group modality was effective in promoting treatment completion rates, and the individual modality achieved higher clinical changes. Evidence regarding the use of treatment manuals was inconclusive. The most frequently employed therapeutic techniques were cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention, and stimulus control.

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Author Biographies

María Elena Cuevas Álvarez, UMSNH

Actualmente es doctorante de la Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, es licenciada y maestra egresada de la Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Sus líneas de investigación son las adicciones.

Contribución al texto: conceptualización, metodología, análisis formal, investigación, recursos, escritura-borrador original, escritura-revisión y edición, visualización y administración.

Roberto Oropeza Tena, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo

Es licenciado en Musicología por la Escuela de Liturgia, Música y Arte “Cardenal Miranda” por la UNAM, es Licenciado en Psicología, Maestro en Análisis Experimental de la Conducta y Doctor en Psicología de la Salud. Actualmente, pertenece al Sistema Nacional de Investigadores nivel I. Es profesor investigador titular “C” y Editor General de Uaricha, Revista de Psicología de la Facultad de Psicología de la UMNSH. Sus principales líneas de investigación son los tratamientos cognitivo-conductuales y el consumo de sustancias.

María Luisa Avalos Latorre, Universidad de Guadalajara, México.

As a full-time research professor at the University of Guadalajara's Tonalá University Center, she holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a member of SNI Level I and PRODEP Profile."

Marina Liliana González Torres, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, México.

Doctora en Ciencia del Comportamiento por la Universidad de Guadalajara. Profesora-investigadora de tiempo completo del Depto. De Psicología de la UAA. Miembro del Sistema Nacional de Investigadoras e Investigadores Nivel 1. Estudia el comportamiento saludable y adictivo.

Reyna Jazmín Martínez Arriaga, Universidad de Guadalajara, México.

Es profesora e investigadora del Departamento de Clínicas de Salud Mental del Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Guadalajara. Especialista en psicología de la salud. Actualmente forma parte del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores, nivel I.

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