Mechanisms and Interventions of Social Reward on Cognitive Control in Internet Gaming Disorder

The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Internet Gaming Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Systematic self-help training program for enhancing social reward; Behavioral: general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder .

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06957392

dlJiao-035

Details and patient eligibility

About

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) involves impaired cognitive control linked to reduced social reward and dACC-DLPFC brain circuit dysfunction. Enhancing social reward may restore this circuit and improve symptoms. This study uses psychological interventions and neuroimaging to explore and treat IGD.

Full description

Cognitive control decline is a key factor in the long-term persistence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) circuit serves as the neural mechanism underlying the maintenance of normal cognitive control function. Social reward activities have been shown to enhance the function of both the dACC and DLPFC. IGD patients exhibit reduced social reward sensitivity alongside diminished functional activity in these two brain regions. Our previous research found that psychological interventions aimed at improving cognitive control can alleviate IGD symptoms; however, individuals with poor social interaction still show limited improvement. Based on these findings, we propose the hypothesis that reduced social reward sensitivity in IGD leads to weakened functional connectivity of the dACC-DLPFC circuit, resulting in cognitive control deficits and exacerbation of IGD behaviors. Enhancing social reward is expected to promote functional connectivity within the dACC-DLPFC circuit, thereby improving cognitive control and mitigating IGD symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct the following studies: (1) Employing a combination of E-Prime behavioral paradigms, event-related potentials (ERP), and neuroimaging techniques to investigate the attenuated facilitative effects of social reward on cognitive control in IGD patients, and examine its correlation with reduced functional connectivity in the dACC-DLPFC circuit. (2) Designing a psychological intervention aimed at enhancing social reward sensitivity, to evaluate its efficacy in improving cognitive control and reducing IGD severity.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged between 18 and 35 years, irrespective of gender, having completed a minimum of 9 years of education and capable of effectively cooperating in questionnaire evaluations.
• Consent to actively cooperate in the completion of subsequent follow-up assessments.
• All are right-handed
• The Gaming Disorder Screening (GDSS) Scale score ≥ 47 points;
• The main game played is Honor of Kings; Average weekly gaming time (Honor of Kings) greater than 21 hours, maintained for over one year; More than 50% of daily internet time spent playing online games;

Exclusion criteria

• Severe cognitive functional impairments manifested through a history of head trauma, cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, etc., or usage of cognitive enhancement drugs in the past 6 months; an intellectual disability with an IQ score less than 70.
• A diagnosis of schizophrenia or other severe mental illnesses as per the DSM-5 criteria.
• Abuse or dependence on other psychoactive substances (excluding nicotine) within the past 5 years.
• Severe organic diseases that might compromise study participation.
• Color blindness or color weakness

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Systematic self-help training program for enhancing social reward

Experimental group

Description:

1. A single-blind randomized controlled trial is conducted. 30 people, assigned to SRI group (Social Reward Intervention group) , will be received a psychological self-help program aimed at enhancing social reward sensitivity. 2. Assessments including standardized scales, behavioral tests, and neuroimaging are conducted once before and once after the intervention. 3. During the course, participants will receive twice-weekly online guidance sessions totaling eight sessions, which mainly focus on practicing ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) psychological skills, checking progress in social reward learning, and monitoring course advancement. Additionally, one to two offline group discussions are held regularly to enhance treatment adherence and ensure active participation in the self-help program. 4. The entire intervention lasts approximately one month, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Systematic self-help training program for enhancing social reward

general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder .

Other group

Description:

1. A single-blind randomized controlled trial is conducted. 30 people, assigned to Control group, was provided with standard educational courses introducing general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder, while the others are assigned to SRI group (Social Reward Intervention group). Both groups have equivalent learning durations and delivery formats. 2. Assessments including standardized scales, behavioral tests, and neuroimaging are conducted once before and once after the intervention. 3. During the course, participants will receive twice-weekly online guidance sessions totaling eight sessions. 4. The entire intervention lasts approximately one month, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder .