Treatment Of Internet Gaming Disorder Research Articles

Cognitive, Metacognitive, Motivational, and Emotional Predictors of the Intensity of Internet Gaming Disorder among Adolescents.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is multifaceted and can have significant negative consequences. The present study examined the contribution of cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and emotional factors as predictors for IGD severity. In a cross-sectional study, 703 Iranian adolescents (36.8% females, mean age = 16.98years [SD = 1.23]) completed an online survey. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and emotional factors predicted 7.8%, 17.4%, 1.4%, and 1.9% of the variance in IGD symptoms, respectively. The findings indicated that the cognitive factors including some maladaptive cognitions, such as cognitive salience, regret, and perfectionism, and metacognitive factors including some maladaptive metacognitions (negative metacognitions regarding the uncontrollability of online gaming and negative metacognitions regarding the dangers of online gaming) were significant predictors of IGD severity, highlighting their importance in understanding and predicting problematic gaming behaviors. Although contributing to the variance in IGD, motivational factors (escape, coping, and skill development) and emotional factors including emotion regulation (especially reappraisal) played relatively smaller roles compared to cognitive and metacognitive factors. Of the examined predictive factors, metacognitions were the most important predictor of IGD severity. Exploratory moderator analyses showed significant interactions between three predictors of IGD (reappraisal, negative metacognitions, and cognitive salience) with loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Reappraisal was the most frequent predictor and had a significant interaction with these variables. Other predictors independently impacted IGD irrespective of the level of loneliness, stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Based on these findings, special attention to metacognitive, cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors is suggested in the treatment of IGD.

Recent treatment and novel imaging studies evaluating treatment of internet gaming disorder: a narrative review

Recent treatment and novel imaging studies evaluating treatment of internet gaming disorder: a narrative review

Internet Gaming Disorder and the Incidence of Suicide-Related Ideation and Behaviors in College Students.

The longitudinal associations between DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and suicide-related ideation and behaviors have not been explored. In this study, we therefore seek to examine the association between baseline IGD and incident suicide ideation, plans, and attempts. This is a prospective cohort study of 2586 Mexican college students followed up from September 2018 to June 2022. We estimated hazards ratios modeling incidence of suicide ideation, plans, and attempts by fitting proportional hazards Cox models with person-time scaled in years. Among 2140 students without suicide ideation at baseline, there were 467 incident cases in 3987.6 person-years; ideation incidence rates were 179 cases per 1000 person-years among students with IGD and 114 cases per 1000 person-years among those without IGD. Incidence rates for suicide plans were 67 and 39 per 1000 among IGD and non-IGD students, and 15 and 10 per 1000, respectively for attempts. After controlling for age, sex, and mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, IGD was associated with an 83% increased risk of suicide ideation. Although incidence rate estimates for plans and attempts were higher among students with IGD, results were not statistically significant. This study helps to raise awareness of the increased risk of at least suicidal ideation in people experiencing IGD. Clinicians treating patients with IGD may encounter complaints of suicide ideation over time, and even reports of suicidal behavior that should not be disregarded. Identifying these patients and treating/referring them for underlying suicidality should form part of IGD treatment.

Ten years of research on the treatments of internet gaming disorder: A scoping review anddirections for future research.

Although internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been listed in section III of the DSM-5 for approximately 10 years, the study of treatments for IGD remains in early stages. Nonetheless, a summary of findings to date and discussion of future research needs are warranted. The current study reviewed scientific treatment studies with control groups and randomized controlled trials. We summarized the strengths and weaknesses of different treatment strategies and identified gaps in the research literature that may inform the direction of future research efforts. Sixteen studies were reviewed. Existing treatment studies may be categorized into cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapies, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), and others. CBT is the most widely studied treatment strategy for IGD thus far. Future studies should consider IGD-specific CBT treatment strategies. Medication-based treatment should be implemented with caution. NIBS is promising, and future studies should explore the most efficacious parameters and targets. In addition, studies should consider sex differences in the treatment of IGD.

A three-wave longitudinal study on the underlying metacognitive mechanism between depression and Internet gaming disorder.

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and depression have negative consequences on individuals' mental health, but their relationships are complex. This three-wave longitudinal study aimed to detect the metacognitive mechanisms underlying the association between IGD tendency and depression based on the self-regulatory executive function model. A total of 1,243 Chinese undergraduate student gamers (57% female, M = 19.77, SD = 1.29) were recruited at the baseline survey (Wave 1 [W1]), with 622 and 574 of them taking part in the two follow-up surveys (Wave 2 [W2] at 6 and Wave 3 [W3] at 12 months later), respectively. The three-wave path model demonstrated, after controlling for the autoregressive effect of each variable, that depression consistently predicted IGD tendency but not vice versa, while negative but not positive metacognitions about online gaming (MOG) significantly predictedboth depression and IGD tendency. Moreover, two statistically significant mediation paths: (i)negative MOG [W1] → depression [W2] → IGD tendency [W3]; and (ii) depression [W1] → negative MOG [W2] → IGD tendency [W3] were identified. These findings extend the understanding of the associations among depression, IGD tendency, and MOG, highlighting how negative MOG has a stronger prospective effect than positive MOG on depression and IGD tendency, and also reveal the mutual mediation effects of depression and negative MOG on IGD tendency. Integrated programmes with both emotional regulation training and Metacognitive Therapy are recommended for IGD treatment.

EEG components of inhibitory control ability in internet gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Inhibitory control ability is a crucial cognitive function that enables individuals to regulate their impulses and behaviors in a goal-directed manner. However, with the increasing prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD), there has been growing concern about the impact of excessive gaming on inhibitory control ability. Despite the accumulating evidence on this topic, the research conclusion on whether people with IGD have worse inhibition control ability than healthy controls remains inconsistent, and the lack of effective electroencephalography prediction indicators further complicates this issue. To address this research gap, the present study aimed to investigate whether N2 event-related potential (ERP) and P3 ERP components could serve as reliable indicators of inhibitory control ability in individuals with IGD. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature search was conducted in several databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect (EBSCO), SpringerLink, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library. The inclusion criteria were strictly implemented to ensure the quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis. In the end, a total of 5 studies, with 139 participants diagnosed with IGD and 139 healthy controls, were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis revealed large effect sizes of N2 and P3 amplitudes in individuals with IGD, indicating that these two ERP components could be potential indicators of inhibitory control ability. Specifically, the N2 and P3 amplitude was significantly larger in individuals with IGD than in the healthy control group, suggesting deficits in inhibitory control function and increased impulsivity in the IGD group. In the inhibition control task, the IGD group required more cognitive resources to suppress impulsive responses. Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis shed light on the potential use of N2 and P3 amplitudes as reliable indicators of inhibitory control ability in individuals with IGD. The results provide crucial insights into the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control impairment in IGD, which could inform the development of effective interventions for this condition. Further research is needed to explore the functional significance of these ERP components and their potential clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of IGD.

Relapse prevention therapy for internet gaming disorder in Swedish child and adolescent psychiatric clinics: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of relapse prevention (RP) as a treatment for internet gaming disorder (IGD).DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingThree child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) units in Region Skåne, Sweden.ParticipantsChildren aged 13–18 years, coming for their first visit to CAP during 2022, were screened for gaming behavior. Those who met the proposed DSM-5 criteria for IGD were offered participation in the trial, if they had the capacity to provide written informed consent and if they spoke Swedish. A total of 111 CAP patients agreed to participate. Out of those, 11 patients were excluded due to incorrect inclusion such as young age (n = 1), or due to the absence of responses to follow-up measures (n = 9). After exclusion, 102 participants remained (intervention = 47, control = 55).InterventionsThe intervention, RP, is based on cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and was provided individually, comprising of five to seven 45-min sessions over a period of 5 to 7 weeks versus treatment as usual.Outcome measuresParticipants were assessed with Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents pre-treatment (GASA) (baseline), post-treatment (treatment group only), and 3 months after baseline (follow-up).ResultsThe repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect between treatment and time. Both the control group and treatment group lowered their mean GASA score from baseline to follow-up significantly, but the improvement was greater in the treatment group (mean difference in control group −5.1, p < 0.001, 95% CI = − 3.390 to −6.755, mean difference in treatment group −9.9, p < 0.001, 95% CI = −11.746 to −8.105).ConclusionRP was found to be superior to treatment as usual in terms of reduction of IGD symptoms. Future research should address which aspects within a given treatment are effective, who benefits from treatment, in what aspects, and why.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05506384 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05506384.

Brain responses to positive and negative events in individuals with internet gaming disorder during real gaming.

This study sought to investigate brain responses to positive and negative events in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) during real gaming as a direct assessment of the neural features of IGD. This investigation reflects the neural deficits in individuals with IGD while playing games, providing direct and effective targets for prevention and treatment of IGD. Thirty subjects with IGD and fifty-two matched recreational game use (RGU) subjects were scanned while playing an online game. Abnormal brain activities during positive and negative events were detected using a general linear model. Functional connectivity (FC) and correlation analyses between neural features and addiction severity were conducted to provide additional support for the underlying neural features. Compared to the RGU subjects, the IGD subjects exhibited decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during positive events and decreased activation in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG), precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during negative events. Decreased FC between the DLPFC and putamen during positive events and between the MFG and amygdala during negative events were observed among the IGD subjects. Neural features and addiction severity were significantly correlated. Individuals with IGD exhibited deficits in regulating game craving, maladaptive habitual gaming behaviors and negative emotions when experiencing positive and negative events during real game-playing compared to RGU gamers. These abnormalities in neural substrates during real gaming provide direct evidence for explaining why individuals with IGD uncontrollably and continuously engage in game playing, despite negative consequences.

Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review of how virtual reality environments have been used.

There is growing interest in the use of virtual reality environments (VREs) in psychological treatment and assessment. Most research has focused on the application of VREs in adult psychological disorders with fewer studies focusing on its applicability with children and adolescents. A systematic scoping review was undertaken of research assessing how VREs have been used in the treatment and assessment of childhood mental health disorders to provide an overview of the current state of the literature and identify future research directions. Systematic searches of online databases were conducted in PsycInfo, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eleven studies met eligibility criteria and were included in this review, with the majority focusing on VRE interventions for anxiety-related disorders. There is also emerging support for VRE deep breathing training for anxiety, VRE assisted treatment of internet gaming disorder and anorexia nervosa, and VRE assessment of body image evaluation in anorexia nervosa. Most studies were pilot and feasibility studies with only three randomised-controlled trials (RCT). The current literature shows some promise for the use of VRE assessments and interventions of childhood mental health problems, particularly for anxiety-related disorders such as social anxiety and specific phobias. However, high-quality RCTs are now needed to establish effectiveness of VREs in this population, and how it compares to existing evidence-based approaches, given its promise to improve both engagement and outcomes.

Emotion dysregulation and Internet gaming disorder in young people: Mediating effects of negative affect and metacognitions

BackgroundRecent studies have found that emotion dysregulation, negative affect, and metacognitions about online gaming are risk factors for Internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, few studies investigated the mechanisms underlying these interactions. The present study aimed to explore the relationships between emotion dysregulation and IGD, and the mediating effects of negative affect and metacognitions about online gaming. MethodsAn online survey was conducted with young people (aged 10–24 years) who played video games. 1768 participants were included in this study. Observed variables, including emotion dysregulation, IGD, depression, anxiety, and metacognitions, were measured with self-report scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships among the variables. ResultsThe results showed that emotion dysregulation positively predicted IGD through a fully mediated model which included the independent mediating effects of negative affect and metacognitions about online gaming and their sequential mediating effect. The model explained 76.1 % of the variance in IGD. LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional study which could not infer causality. ConclusionsThis study emphasizes that negative affect and metacognitions about online gaming mediate the effect of emotion dysregulation on IGD; moreover, metacognition may be a proximal factor of IGD. Thus, improving emotional regulation and modifying maladaptive metacognitions in young people may improve the prevention and treatment of IGD.

A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Treatments for Internet Gaming Disorder.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an increasingly common behavioral addiction, with an estimated global prevalence of 3%. A variety of pharmacological treatments have been used to treat IGD, yet no review to date has synthesized clinical trials evaluating their efficacy. This systematic review therefore synthesized the literature reporting on clinical trials of pharmacological treatments for IGD. We reviewed articles from MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed Central, CINAHL, and PsycINFO that were published as of March of 2022. A total of 828 articles were retrieved for review and 12 articles were included, reporting on a total of 724 participants. Most participants were male (98.6%), and all were currently living in South Korea. The most common drugs used to treat IGD were bupropion, methylphenidate, and a range of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The Young Internet Addiction Scale was the most frequently used to measure gaming-related outcomes. All studies reported reduced symptoms of IGD from pre- to post-treatment. Across all clinical trials, IGD symptom reductions following the administration of pharmacological treatments ranged from 15.4% to 51.4%. A risk of bias assessment indicated that only four studies had a low risk of bias. Preliminary results suggest that a wide array of pharmacological interventions may be efficacious in the treatment of IGD. Future studies using double-blind randomized controlled trial designs, recruiting larger and more representative samples, and controlling for psychiatric comorbidities are needed to better inform understanding of pharmacological treatments for IGD.

Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Gambling and Gaming: A Systematic Review of Studies on Healthy Controls, Participants with Gambling/Gaming Disorder, and Substance Use Disorder.

Gambling disorder (GD) and internet gaming disorder (IGD) are formally recognized behavioral addictions with a rapidly growing prevalence and limited treatment options. Recently, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) techniques have emerged as potentially promising interventions for improving treatment outcomes by ameliorating cognitive functions implicated in addictive behaviors. To systematize the current state of evidence and better understand whether and how tES can influence gambling and gaming-related cognitive processes, we conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review of the literature, focusing on tES effects on gaming and gambling in a diverse range of population samples, including healthy participants, participants with GD and IGD, as well as participants with substance abuse addictions. Following the literature search in three bibliographic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), 40 publications were included in this review, with 26 conducted on healthy participants, 6 focusing on GD and IGD patients, and 8 including participants with other addictions. Most of the studies targeted the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and assessed the effects on cognition, using gaming and gambling computerized cognitive tasks measuring risk taking and decision making, e.g., balloon analogue risk task, Iowa gambling task, Cambridge gambling task, etc. The results indicated that tES could change gambling and gaming task performances and positively influence GD and IGD symptoms, with 70% of studies showing neuromodulatory effects. However, the results varied considerably depending on the stimulation parameters, sample characteristics, as well as outcome measures used. We discuss the sources of this variability and provide further directions for the use of tES in the context of GD and IGD treatment.

A cross-sectional study on gaming intensity and social vulnerability in adolescents that have a chronic condition.

Adolescents growing up with a chronic condition might experience more social vulnerabilities compared to their healthy peers as an indirect result of their conditions. This can lead to a relatedness need frustration for these adolescents. Consequently, they might spend more time playing video games compared to their peers. Research shows that both social vulnerability and gaming intensity are predictors for problematic gaming. Therefore, we investigated if social vulnerability and gaming intensity are more pronounced in adolescents that have a chronic condition compared to the general population; and if these levels reflect the levels of a clinical group being treated for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Data on peer problems and gaming intensity were compared from three separate samples: a national representative sample of adolescents, a clinical sample of adolescents that are undergoing treatment for IGD, and a sample of adolescents diagnosed with a chronic condition. No differences were found on either peer problems or gaming intensity between the group of adolescents that have chronic conditions and the national representative group. The group with chronic conditions scored significantly lower on gaming intensity than the clinical group. No significant differences were found between these groups on peer problems. We repeated the analyses for boys only. Similar results were found for the group with chronic conditions compared to the national representative group. The group with chronic conditions now scored significantly lower on both peer problems and gaming intensity than the clinical group. Adolescents growing up with a chronic condition appear similar in their gaming intensity and peer problems compared to their healthy peers.

Independent component analysis for internet gaming disorder.

Introduction: There is a growing interest in the study of the neurobiological correlates of internet gaming disorder (IGD), and new techniques are beginning to be implemented for this purpose, such as independent component analysis (ICA). Aims: The present narrative review aimed to explore the studies that had used ICA for the study of the different brain networks possibly associated with IGD. Methods: We specifically focussed on three of the main networks: default-mode network, executive-control and salience networks. Results: Most studies have identified alterations in these three brain networks in individuals with IGD, which may be involved in the development and maintenance of this disorder. Conclusion: More studies are needed to deepen an understanding of the specific role of each in the symptomatology and treatment of IGD.

“I have no control over how much time I play” the metacognitions about online gaming scale: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation among Israeli adolescents

In the current study we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS), including its factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity among Israeli adolescents in a six-month prospective study. We also examined the usefulness of the MOGS as a mediator of the effect of attachment patterns on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The study population included 1,056 Israeli adolescents (610 males and 446 females, M = 15.77, standard deviation (SD) = 1.43) with an age range of 13–18 years. The participants completed the translated Hebrew version of the MOGS and measures on attachment style, IGD, preference for online social interactions, emotion regulation, and motives for online gaming. The analyses indicated that the factorial structure of the Hebrew MOGS comprised the expected two factors at T1 and T2 (a six-month follow-up). We also found that positive and negative metacognitions significantly mediated the effect of attachment styles on IGD, the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The findings provide evidence that the Hebrew MOGS among Israeli adolescents appears psychometrically appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners dealing with the prevention and treatment of IGD.

Role of Gaming Devices Associated With Internet Gaming Disorder in China: Cross-sectional Study.

Chinese gamers use computer and mobile phone games widely. Consequently, concerns regarding the development of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in adolescents have been raised. However, only a few studies have focused on the influence of gaming devices on IGD. This study aims to compare sociodemographic information, gaming use characteristics, personality traits, and gaming motivations between computer game users (CGUs) and mobile phone game users (MGUs), as well as identifying IGD predictors. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 3593 internet game players took part in an online survey, which included sociodemographic information, gaming patterns, gaming motivations, the Chinese version of the Video Game Dependency Scale, and the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory brief version. The population was divided into 2 groups for comparison by mobile phone or computer use, and the IGD population was also compared within the 2 groups. There were significant differences between the 2 gaming device groups in the time (t2994=7.75, P<.001) and money (t2994=5.11, P<.001) spent on gaming and in internet game addiction scores (t2994=3.68, P<.001). Individuals using different gaming devices had different game motivations and personality traits and preferred different genres of games. Results showed that IGD predictors were different for the 2 groups, for example, strategy (odds ratio [OR] 4.452, 95% CI 1.938-10.227; P<.001) and action shooter (OR 3.725, 95% CI 1.465-9.474; P=.01) games increased the risk for MGUs. Gaming devices should be considered during early identification, such as long daily gaming time, much money spent on gaming, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. In addition, more research should be conducted on new gaming devices and IGD treatment.

Exploring the associated characteristics of Internet gaming disorder from the perspective of various game genres.

Although previous studies have reported several characteristics associated with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), the influence of game genre on IGD has rarely been investigated. This study thus aimed to compare demographic characteristics, gaming patterns, personality traits, and gaming motivations among players in different game genres, as well as identify the associated characteristics of genre-specific IGD. Internet games were classified into four types: role-playing games (RPGs), strategy (STR) games, action shooter (ACS) games, and brain and skill (BRS) games. Chinese gamers (n = 5,593) who usually played one of these games completed an anonymous online survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, gaming patterns, gaming motivations, the Chinese version of the Video Gaming Dependency Scale (VGD-S), and the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory Brief Version (CBF-PI-B). Significant differences were found between the genre-specific groups regarding age, gender, relationship status, VGD-S score, gaming patterns, and personality traits (e.g., RPG and STR players were more vulnerable to developing IGD compared to ACS and BRS players). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the associated characteristics of IGD were slightly different within each genre-specific group after controlling for sociodemographic factors. Among them, daily gaming time and motivation for sensation seeking and escaping reality were associated with IGD development within the genre-specific group. Individuals in each game genre exhibited distinct characteristics that might predict IGD development (e.g., gaming patterns and personality traits). Game genre preferences should be considered in the early prevention and treatment of IGD to help high-risk individuals' recovery. Additionally, more research should be conducted to explore RPG and STR game characteristics.

Internet Gaming Disorder: A Scoping Review and Future Direction

Objective: The massive popularity of digital gaming in recent decades has led to an inevitable surge in the use of digital technologies. This has made the younger population more prone to gaming, and causing an exponential rise in excessive video gaming among both children and adolescents. This scoping review summarizes and determines the scope, or coverage, of the body of empirical literature on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD); published from 2010 to 2021. It was conducted to identify and map the available empirical evidence on IGD pertaining to its: prevalence, determinants, comorbidities and health consequences. Material and Methods: Literature searches were made in databases; including, Google Scholar, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and PubMed to identify relevant articles published from 2010 to 2021. This was performed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and the meta-analyses technique (PRISMA) exclusion and inclusion criteria. Twenty-six empirical research studies are included in the present review. Results: There have been unexplored areas related to IGD since its introduction into the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Although its harmful impact on mental health and well-being remains untouched across the world, IGD is growing rapidly and calls for substantial worldwide consideration. Conclusion: Findings advance the understanding of IGD, identify gaps in research and propose future research directions. Research and innovations must focus on assessment, tools, prevention, intervention and treatment of IGD.

Considering gender differences in the study and treatment of internet gaming disorder

Background and aimsInternet gaming disorder (IGD) is a multifaceted and complex addictive disorder characterized by poor impulse control and altered reward sensitivities, among other features. IGD is a male-predominant condition, and gender-related differences may contribute importantly to the development and maintenance of, and recovery from, IGD. MethodsThe current manuscript proposes a framework that incorporates gender-related considerations at different stages of IGD and proposes potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of IGD. ResultsAt the development stage, high impulsivity, impaired inhibitory control, and aggressive behaviors have been more frequently observed among males than females, suggesting potential risk factors for the development of IGD. Loneliness and other emotional dysregulation have been more frequently noted among females (than among males) with IGD. At the maintenance stage, males may be more sensitive to gaming-related rewards than females, and acute gaming behaviors may elicit higher cravings among males than among females and thus weaken their inhibitory control. In recovery, females with IGD have reported more negative mood states than males, and females’ gaming behaviors have been linked with affective disorders. DiscussionsThe model proposed here highlights gender-related differences in modulating the behavioral and neural systems that contribute to a three-stage framework of IGD. Additional investigation into gender-related differences in IGD may further advance the field by uncovering complex relationships that may underlie vulnerability and provide insights into the development of gender-specific prevention and treatment strategies.

Effectiveness of a mobile app-based educational intervention to treat internet gaming disorder among Iranian adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe use of video games, a hobby for many teenagers in their leisure time, has brought with it a new potential for concerns. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a mental condition classified as a disorder due to addictive behaviors. It may include use of video games, both online and offline. Consequences of IGD may include introversion, social anxiety, mood swings, loneliness, sleep problems, behavioral problems, depression, low self-esteem, and increased violence. In order to design an app-based intervention for adolescents, a transtheoretical model (TTM) has been used. This widely used model in the field of behavioral change is also practical for health education programs. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been used to make people more aware of their behaviors, feelings and thoughts and how to achieve behavioral change. The present study seeks to determine the effectiveness of this app-based intervention in in the treatment of IGD among adolescents.MethodIn this single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, 206 high-school adolescents aged 13 to 18 years in Qazvin city will be recruited. Eligible adolescents will be randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Eight consecutive sessions delivered over 2 months and based on the TTM and CBT will be delivered through the `app (named HAPPYTEEN) to the intervention group. The control group will receive a sleep hygiene intervention (8 consecutive sessions for 2 months) via the app. Data collection tools include the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales, Stages of Change Questionnaire, Decision Balance, and Self-Efficacy. The study measures will be completed at baseline, post intervention, and 1 month and 3 months after the intervention.DiscussionThe results of this intervention could be used as adjunct therapy for adolescents with IGD.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registration Center of Iran (IRCT) IRCT20181226042140N1. Registered on June 9, 2020.