Effectiveness of Therapeutic Interventions in the Treatment of Internet Gaming Disorder
A Systematic Review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 16946808 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sandra Núñez-Rodríguez (0009-0005-5171-6871), David Burgos-González, Luis Alberto Mínguez-Mínguez (0000-0001-5728-4030), Félix Menéndez-Vega (0009-0009-8432-7126), José Luis Antoñanzas-Laborda, Jerónimo J González‐Bernal (0000-0002-7298-9060), Josefa González‐Santos (0000-0003-3089-7018) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 49 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ejihpe15040049 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 44 |
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and as an emerging condition in the DSM-5. IGD is increasingly prevalent, with various negative effects on individuals’ development and adaptation. To address this issue, different therapeutic interventions, like CBT, virtual reality, mindfulness, or family therapy, have been explored. This systematic review aimed to answer the following research question: What is the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in reducing IGD symptoms in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with this disorder? Following PRISMA guidelines, 22 studies published between 2014 and 2025 were included. Results show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective intervention, significantly reducing IGD severity, anxiety, and depression. Combining CBT with physical exercise or mindfulness further enhanced outcomes. Other promising approaches include virtual reality (VR), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and family-based interventions. Additionally, treatments involving mindfulness and animal-assisted therapy showed potential in improving emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and explore emerging therapies
Expert appraisal of criteria for assessing gaming disorder
Internet gaming disorder in children and adolescents
Physical activity and exercise in youth mental health promotion
Internet gaming disorder
Functional impairment, insight, and comparison between criteria for gaming disorder in the International Classification of Diseases, 11 Edition and internet gaming disorder in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
Ten years of research on the treatments of internet gaming disorder
Effects of retrieval-extinction training on internet gaming disorder
Risk factors of internet gaming disorder symptoms in Spanish adolescents
Impact of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder comorbidity on longitudinal course in Internet gaming disorder
Resting-State Activity of Prefrontal-Striatal Circuits in Internet Gaming Disorder
Relapse prevention therapy for internet gaming disorder in Swedish child and adolescent psychiatric clinics
Relationship of Internet Gaming Disorder with Psychopathology and Social Adaptation in Italian Young Adults
A Comparative Study of Psychosocial Interventions for Internet Gaming Disorder Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years
WHO World Mental Health Surveys International College Student Project
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |