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Cited by 168Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

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Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Based Intervention in Preventing Gaming Disorder and Unspecified Internet Use Disorder in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

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Lindenberg, Katajun, Kindt, Sophie, Szász-Janocha, Carolin·2022·JAMA Network Open
DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48995PMC PMC8857686
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Abstract

Importance: Behavioral addictions were introduced as novel mental disorders in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, based on evidence that human behavior itself can become addictive, similar to addiction to substances. However, previous studies on prevention of gaming disorder and unspecified internet use disorder lacked randomization, follow-up measurements, and diagnostic interviews that assessed incidence rates; this trial was intended to fill this gap. Objectives: To investigate whether the PROTECT (Professioneller Umgang mit technischen Medien [Professional Use of Technical Media]) intervention can reduce the symptom severity and prevent full syndrome and subthreshold onset of gaming disorder and unspecified internet use disorder in at-risk adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter cluster randomized clinical trial conducted recruitment, screening, intervention delivery, and data collection among at-risk adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in 33 high schools in Germany. Inclusion criteria for the study and symptom severity analyses were elevated symptoms of gaming disorder and unspecified internet use disorder. A subsample that met the inclusion criteria for incidence analyses (no full syndrome of gaming disorder or unspecified internet use disorder, depression, or anxiety at baseline) was analyzed for illness onset. Participants were randomized to either the PROTECT intervention group or the assessment-only control group. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1-month follow-up, 4-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018. Based on intent-to-treat principle, data analyses were conducted from February 8, 2019, to May 7, 2021. Interventions: PROTECT, a theory-driven, manualized, cognitive behavioral therapy-based indicated preventive group intervention that is delivered in 4 sessions by trained psychologists. It targets changes in addictive reward processing and pathological cognitive mechanisms. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was symptom severity (measured by CSAS [Computerspielabhängigkeitsskala], a modified German video game dependency scale with a score range of 0-56 [higher scores indicating greater pathology]) along with incidence rates (assessed by a structured clinical interview) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes were comorbid psychopathology and problem behaviors. Results: A total of 422 at-risk adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.11 [2.01] years; 229 female participants [54.3%]) were randomized to either the PROTECT intervention group (n = 167; mean [SD] risk score, 29.05 [6.98]) or the assessment-only control group (n = 255; mean [SD] risk score, 26.21 [5.01]) and were included in the symptom severity analyses. Compared with the control group, the PROTECT group showed a significantly greater reduction in symptom severity of gaming disorder or unspecified internet use disorder (γ11 = -0.128; 95% CI, -0.246 to -0.011; P = .03), reflecting a 39.8% vs 27.7% reduction of symptoms with an effect size of Cohen d = 0.67 (baseline vs 12-month follow-up) for the PROTECT group. Differences in incidence rates did not reach statistical significance. The PROTECT group showed a significantly greater decrease in procrastination (γ11 = -0.458; 95% CI, -0.735 to -0.180; P < .001) over 12 months, but no significant differences were found for other secondary outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this trial showed that the PROTECT intervention effectively reduced symptoms of gaming disorder and unspecified internet use disorder over 12 months. The intervention did not change incidence rates of gaming disorder or unspecified internet use disorder. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02907658.

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Figure 1. CONSORT Diagram of Participant Flow Through Trial The first primary end point was symptom severity as analyzed by 3-level hierarchical growth curve models, allowing for missing data. The second primary end point was 12-months’ incidence rate, which required narrower inclusion criteria and clinical interview.
Figure 1. CONSORT Diagram of Participant Flow Through Trial The first primary end point was symptom severity as analyzed by 3-level hierarchical growth curve models, allowing for missing data. The second primary end point was 12-months’ incidence rate, which required narrower inclusion criteria and clinical interview.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2. Gaming Disorder or Internet Use Disorder Symptom Changes Over 12 Months A-B, Each line represents the mean scores of 1 high school. PROTECT indicates Professioneller Umgang mit technischen Medien (Professional Use of Technical Media).
Figure 2. Gaming Disorder or Internet Use Disorder Symptom Changes Over 12 Months A-B, Each line represents the mean scores of 1 high school. PROTECT indicates Professioneller Umgang mit technischen Medien (Professional Use of Technical Media).CC BY · PubMed Central

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  1. Malik, 2016, Exploring the relationship of personality, loneliness, and online social support with interned addiction and procrastination., Pakistan J Psychol Res, 31, 93

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Metadata

Authors
Lindenberg, K., Kindt, S., & Szász-Janocha, C.
Affiliations
Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
Corresponding author
Lindenberg, Katajun
ORCID
Lindenberg, Katajun
Venue
JAMA Network Open
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
2022-02-18
Volume
5
Issue
2
Pages
e2148995
ISSN
2574-3805 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48995
PMC
PMC8857686
OpenAlex
W4213329925
Cited by
157
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10
FWCI
42.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • JAMA Network Open (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
gaming disorder, behavioral addiction, adolescents, cognitive behavioral therapy, prevention, at-risk youth, symptom severity, incidence, comorbid psychopathology, problematic internet use, gaming addiction, school-based intervention, ICD-11, anxiety, behavioral problems
MeSH terms
Internet Addiction Disorder, Technology Addiction, Adolescent, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome

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