The Current Status of Psychological Intervention Research for Internet Addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder

Abstract

This integrative review assesses the effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing the severity of Internet addiction and/or Internet gaming disorder. We searched five databases, and both a narrative synthesis and meta-analyses were conducted. Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six quasi-experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. The included interventions were categorized as cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based intervention, and counseling program. A meta-analysis showed significant effects of psychological interventions, whereas a narrative synthesis showed some evidence that they could reduce addiction severity. Psychological interventions may help to reduce addiction severity, but further RCTs are needed to identify the most effective type.