Neurofeedback for Internet Gaming Addiction

NCT06063642 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BSERE23-APP004-ICI
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) neurofeedback in alleviating internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms by training individuals with such symptoms to down-regulate the activity in their reward-processing-related midbrain regions.

Conditions

Internet Gaming Disorder

Keywords

neurofeedback; behavior addiction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline in self-reported urge for internet gaming as assessed by Visual Analog Scales (1 to 100)

  Up to 30 days after the intervention session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in reward-related activity during exposure to internet gaming videos

  Up to 3 days

• Change in inhibitory response in the affective Go/Nogo task

  Up to 3 days

Study Arms (2)

Experimental neurofeedback intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

In an approximately 30-minute training session, participants receive activity feedback from a midbrain region involved in reward processing and gaming addiction. Feedback will be presented in the form of a thermometer/bar in the middle of the screen and updated every two seconds. They will be trained to down-regulate the activity in this region with the help of this feedback using cognitive strategies. This down-regulation training is believed to be beneficial to addictive behaviors by the investigators.

Device: Neurofeedback training

Sham feedback intervention

SHAM COMPARATOR

In an approximately 30-minute training session, participants receive activity feedback from a brain region irrelevant to reward processing or gaming addictive behavior. The feedback presentation form and task instructions will be the same as for the experimental group. Based on the functional role of the feedback region, the investigators do not believe this feedback training will change the addictive behaviors of the participants who receive this intervention.

Device: Sham feedback training

Interventions

Neurofeedback training DEVICE

Neurofeedback training is a type of non-invasive brain modulation technique that enables individuals to self-regulate brain activity patterns by providing them feedback on specific activity measures. Effective self-regulation is often linked to changes in cognition, behavior, and clinical symptoms.

Experimental neurofeedback intervention

Sham feedback training DEVICE

A controlled form of neurofeedback training that provides feedback irrelevant to the targeted mental process.

Sham feedback intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 28 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Meet at least five of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria for IGD and score 38 or above on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT)
• First language is Chinese (Mandarin)
• Right-handed
• Have played the mobile game "King of Glory" for more than 3 years
• Ability to give informed consent
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

You may not qualify if:

• Any primary diagnosis of a current psychological or neurological disorder
• Any history of psychological or neurological disorder
• Any MRI contraindication
• Currently on a psychotropic medication
• Any history of substance dependence
• Any history of brain injury or surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Macau: lead

Study Sites (1)

Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau

Taipa, 99078, Macau

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Gu A, Chan CL, Xu X, Dexter JP, Becker B, Zhao Z. Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Modulation of Dopaminergic Midbrain Activity in Young Adults With Elevated Internet Gaming Disorder Risk: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2025 Jan 29;27:e64687. doi: 10.2196/64687.

  PMID: 39879613 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Internet Addiction Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Technology Addiction; Behavior, Addictive; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Zhen Yuan, Ph.D

  University of Macau

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: All participants will be blind to the intervention group assignment until they complete the entire study procedure. An outcome assessor who is blind to this assignment will collect the primary outcome measurement data.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Eligible candidates will be randomly assigned to either receive the experimental feedback intervention or sham feedback intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 31, 2023
• First Posted: October 2, 2023
• Study Start: October 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2024
• Study Completion: March 1, 2024
• Last Updated: July 30, 2024

Record last verified: 2023-09

Locations

MA (1)