Smartphone Addiction and Its Effect on Mental Health: An Evidence Based Intervention for Amelioration (CyberLife Care)

International Islamic University, Islamabad

Status: Completed

Conditions: Smartphone Addiction

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03328637

11/09/17-P01-DPEC

Details and patient eligibility

About

The use of Smartphone has been adopted faster than any other device in the history of digital electronics. Hence it is estimated that in 2016, 2.1 billion were found registered Smartphone users in the world and Pakistan was ranked 10th in the list of top 10 countries with largest number of mobile phone subscribers. Despite of its useful and timely utilization, the excessive use of Smartphone coerce the Individual to be dependent on the use of Smartphone psychologically and even physically. Furthermore, among the users, adolescents and young adults used Smartphone (90%) more than any other age groups. Moreover, this prevalence is expected to rise in the future due to the easy availability and swift changes and addition of new applications to Smartphone technology. Subsequently, the excessive and irrational use of Smartphone leads to Smartphone addiction which impact on individual mental health, physical health, and disrupt social, economic and educational functions. So, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an evidence based remedy in the treatment of Smartphone addiction. The study will comprise of two groups; one will receive CBT (intervention group) and the other one will be on Treatment As Usual (TAU). The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of CBT primarily by measuring the addictive smartphone usage assessed by Smart Phone Addiction Scale (SAS) and also on secondary outcomes including time management, academic performance and social functioning of adolescents. These assessments will be conducted before intervention (on the baseline assessment sessions), during the Intervention and after the intervention (on follow up assessment sessions). A total of 120 students were calculated on the basis of 80% statistical power required to detect the effect as indicated by previous study and will be selected from different educational institutions. SPSS 23.0 will be used for data analysis. The primary analysis will be mixed ANOVA to compare the between group and within group means differences on measures used in the study. Multiple Hierarchical Regression analysis will also be used for the prediction of outcome variables from the demographics. The total duration of the study is one year.

This study primarily aims to assess the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an evidence based remedy in the treatment for Smartphone addiction. The basic purpose is to minimize the severity of Smartphone addiction up to manageable level. Furthermore, there are certain psychiatric symptoms that are found to be associated with the addictive usage of Smartphone like stress, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, attention deficits and conduct problems. The study design will also allow to assess the effectiveness of CBT on such outcomes: (a) The depression, anxiety and stress level of the participants (b) The time management of the participants (c) The emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity and attention deficit problems, peer relationship problems and pro-social behavior aspects of the participants (d) The satisfaction level of the participants.

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 19 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Score more than 31 (for male) and 33 (for female) on Smart Phone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV).
2. Age range will be 12-19.
3. Absence of diagnosis according to ICD-10 or DSM 5 mental disorder.
4. Participants will have to be living within the catchment area.
5. Capable to be engaged, participate or respond to the research question.
6. Willing to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. Temporary resident unlikely to be available for the follow ups.
2. Participants diagnosed according to ICD 10 or DSM 5 criteria, due to general medical condition or substance misuse, dementia, delirium, alcohol or drug dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, learning disability.
3. Unable to engage, participate or respond to the research question.
4. Participants who attended psychiatric services

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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120 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Patients in the intervention group will be provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a common psychological intervention based on the notion that thoughts trigger the emotions. In CBT patients are trained to monitor their thoughts and identify those that trigger addictive feelings and actions while they learn new coping skills and ways to prevent a relapse (Beck, Wright, Newman \& Liese, 2001). The treatment period of CBT is three months consisting of a weekly session and total 12 sessions. Initial stage of therapy is behavioral, centering on specific behaviors and situations. Latter on there is more of a focus on the cognitive assumptions and distortions that have developed and the effects of these on behavior.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Control group will not receive CBT however, primary care service providers and mental health professionals will provide any required routine care according to their clinical judgment and available resources.