Intervening in Problematic Internet Use (iPIN)

University of Luebeck

Status: Completed

Conditions: Internet Use Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03646448

1504/68405

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

Problematic Internet use is an increasing problem, especially in younger age groups. A population-based study revealed elevated prevalences in adolescents and young adults. The present study aims to provide an intervention for this vulnerable group to change the problematic Internet use. This is suggested to prevent the development of more severe forms of dependence. Brief interventions using MI and elements of CBT have shown to be an adequate method to change addictive behaviors.

For the recruitment, students of vocational schools in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg in Northern Germany are screened proactively in classes. Participants fulfilling at least 21 points on the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) receive a diagnostic telephone interview. If fulfilling at least 2 DSM-5 criteria, participants will be randomly allocated to two conditions: (1) Intervention group with up to three telephone counseling sessions based on MI, (2) Control group receiving a booklet on problematic Internet use. Outcome measures are a reduction of DSM-5 criteria for Internet use disorders, a reduction of time spent on the Internet, and a reduction of negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use. The efficacy of the intervention will be examined after 6 and 12 months in follow-up interviews.

Enrollment: 470 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

• Current treatment for mental disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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470 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention group

Experimental group

Description:

Counseling based on Motivational Interviewing and elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing

Control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Control group receiving a booklet on problematic Internet use