Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40616464›Full record

SynthesisJournal of intellectual disability research : JIDR2025

Substance Use and Problem Gambling Interventions for People With Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review.

Amalia Udeanu, Gloria Garcia-Fernandez, Andrea Krotter, Juan Antonio García-Aller, Patricia Solis Garcia, Laura E Gómez

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Amalia UdeanuDepartment of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-1306-1377
Gloria Garcia-FernandezDepartment of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-0770-0555
Andrea KrotterDepartment of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-8442-5564
Juan Antonio García-AllerDepartment of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.ORCID 0009-0009-8098-1868
Patricia Solis GarciaDepartment of Educational Psychology and Psychobiology, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroño, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-2962-5819
Laura E GómezDepartment of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-0776-1836

Funding

Government of the Principality of Asturias PA-21-PF-BP20-015Spanish Government Delegation of the National Plan on Drugs 2023I056University of Oviedo PAPI-22-PF-19
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPeople with intellectual disability (ID) face increased vulnerability to addictive behaviours, yet effective interventions are under-researched. This study aimed to systematically review existing interventions for substance use and problem gambling in this population.

methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we searched Web of Science, PsycINFO and CENTRAL for studies on substance use or gambling tailored for people with ID. Two independent reviewers synthesised the data and assessed the methodological quality using established tools.

resultsSixteen studies were included: three randomised controlled trials (RCTs), six non-randomised trials and seven case studies. Most studies involved small samples of male adults with mild ID, focusing on tobacco (n = 6), polydrug use (n = 5), alcohol (n = 3), opioids (n = 1) or gambling (n = 1). Mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy combined with motivational interviewing showed promising results for reducing tobacco and alcohol use in people with ID. Short-term benefits were observed for alcohol and cannabis use, though impacts on severity were unclear. Psychoeducation was frequently integrated with behavioural techniques, contributing to reduced substance use through enhanced awareness and knowledge.

conclusionsThe evidence for interventions targeting substance use and gambling in individuals with ID remains limited. A meta-analysis was not possible due to insufficient data, though single-case designs provided valuable insights. More rigorous and comprehensive research is needed to better understand and improve intervention strategies for addressing substance use and gambling problems in people with ID.

trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42023477296.

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyGamblingIntellectual DisabilityMotivational InterviewingSubstance-Related DisordersHumansaddictiongamblingintellectual developmental disorderinterventionsubstance usesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40616464
PMCPMC12576368

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.