Intervening in Problematic Internet Use

NCT03646448 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 1504/68405
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 470
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present study examines the efficacy of a brief intervention for problematic Internet use based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a sample of students screened proactively in vocational schools in Northern Germany. Participants will be randomized in an intervention and a control group. It is hypothesized that after 12 months, participants of the intervention group fulfill less DSM-5 criteria for Internet use disorders, spend less time in the Internet, and suffer from less negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use, compared to the control group.

Conditions

Internet Use Disorders

Keywords

Internet Use Disorders; Brief Intervention; Motivational Interviewing; CBT; Proactive

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change of DSM-5 criteria

  Criteria for Internet Use Disorders according to the Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-5, but for all Internet Applications are assessed with a diagnostic clinical interview based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)

  Assessment of criteria at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

• Change of time spent on the Internet

  Average time of private Internet use on a weekday and on weekends and maximum use are assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups. Change of time is measured by the difference between the follow up assessments and the baseline.

  Assessment of time on the Internet at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

• Change of disabilities caused by the problematic Internet use

  World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS) 2.0 (Adapted Version for problematic Internet use): * 4 items ranging from 0 (no impairment) to 10 (strong impairment) * 2 items estimating the days of impairment in the past 12 months (time frame will be adapted to the time frame in the assessment) * For change of disabilities, the difference between follow up assessments and baseline will be measured for the single items.

  Assessment of disabilities at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

• Change of negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use

  Negative Consequences-Questionnaire from the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony: * 8 items ranging from 1 (much worse) to 5 (much better) * Maximum sum score ranges from 8 to 40 * The questionnaire is inversely coded, so higher outcomes provide a better outcome * For change of negative consequences, the difference between the sum scores in the follow up assessments and baseline will be measured

  Assessment of negative consequences at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Readiness to change Internet use

  Assessment of readiness to change at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

• Self-efficacy to change Internet use

  Assessment of self-efficacy at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups

Study Arms (2)

Intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Counseling based on Motivational Interviewing and elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Control group receiving a booklet on problematic Internet use

Interventions

Motivational Interviewing BEHAVIORAL

Up to three counseling sessions on telephone based on Motivational Interviewing and elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Counselings are within 12 weeks after the baseline diagnostic interview and follow the stepped care approach.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• CIUS score of 21 and at least 2 DSM-criteria
• At least 16 years old

You may not qualify if:

• Current treatment for mental disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Luebeck: lead
• Federal Ministry of Health, Germany: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Lübeck

Lübeck, Germany

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Motivational Interviewing

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Directive Counseling; Counseling; Mental Health Services; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

• Hans-Jürgen Rumpf, PD Dr.

  University of Lübeck

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Research group S:TEP

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 20, 2018
• First Posted: August 24, 2018
• Study Start: October 1, 2017
• Primary Completion: March 31, 2020
• Study Completion: March 31, 2020
• Last Updated: October 18, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-10

Locations

DE (1)