Effects of an online-based motivational intervention to reduce problematic internet use and promote treatment motivation in internet gaming disorder and internet use disorder (OMPRIS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

IntroductionIn May 2019, the WHO classified internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a mental disorder in the upcoming International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. However, individuals affected by IGD or internet use disorders (IUDs) are often not provided with adequate therapy due to a lack of motivation or absence of adequate local treatment options. To close the gap between individuals with IUDs and the care system, we conduct an online-based motivational intervention to reduce problematic internet use and promote treatment motivation in internet gaming disorder and internet use disorder (OMPRIS).Methods and analysisWithin the randomised controlled trial, a total of n=162 participants will be allocated by sequential balancing randomisation to the OMPRIS intervention or a waitlist control group. The study includes an extensive diagnostic, followed by a 4-week psychological intervention based on motivational interviewing, (internet-related) addiction therapy, behavioural therapy techniques and additional social counselling. The primary outcome is the reduction of problematic internet use measured by the Assessment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction Scale. Secondary outcomes include time spent on the internet, motivation for change (Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale for Internet Use Disorder), comorbid mental symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7), quality of life (EuroQoL Standardised Measure of Health-related Quality of Life–5 Dimensions, General Life Satisfaction-1), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale), personality traits (Big Five Inventory-10), therapeutic alliance (Helping Alliance Questionnaire) and health economic costs. The diagnosis of (comorbid) mental disorders is carried out with standardised clinical interviews. The measurement will be assessed before (T0), at midpoint (T1) and after the OMPRIS intervention (T2), representing the primary endpoint. Two follow-up assessments will be conducted after 6 weeks (T3) and 6 months (T4) after the intervention. The outcomes will be analysed primarily via analysis of covariance. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be conducted.Ethics and disseminationParticipants will provide written informed consent. The trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum (approval number 19-6779). Findings will be disseminated through presentations, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.Trial registration numberDRKS00019925.

Social Demographics and Physical Distancing Knowledge of Sports Teachers and Students Against the Prevention of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

“…Validity and reliability tests are used to obtain quality and feasible test equipment. Implementation of the validity test by using the standard r arithmetic value > from r table (Dieris-Hirche et al, 2021)while the reliability test by looking at the Cronbach Alpha value > 0.6 (Nyenhuis et al, 2020)The results of the validity test obtained the value of r arithmetic > r table, so it can be said that the measuring instrument in the form of a questionnaire used in this study was valid. The following can be seen the results of validity testing on the knowledge variable about physical distancing :…”

Telemedicine as bridge to the offline world for person affected with problematic internet use or internet use disorder and concerned significant others

“… 39 , 42 A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of four-week webcam-based one-to-one counseling for individuals with IUD was initiated by our research group and is ongoing. 43 To the best of our knowledge, no telemedicine services specifically for CSO of PA with IUD (not preventive programs) have been published so far.…”

“…A guided Internet- and mobile-based intervention for individuals with IUD with pre-defined sessions and individualized feedback after completion of each session 42 as well as a four-week manualized webcam-based motivational intervention in a one-to-one setting with a personal consultant by our research group. 43 Although systematic reviews across various disorders show that primarily women use telemedicine services and health applications, 44 , 45 the samples of existing telemedicine services for individuals with IUD are primarily defined by men. 39 Only one Internet-based intervention for the treatment of IUD for college students in china reports a primarily female sample.…”

Internet-Based Self-Assessment for Symptoms of Internet Use Disorder—Impact of Gender, Social Aspects, and Symptom Severity: German Cross-sectional Study

“…DRKS00019925; ethics vote no. 19-6679), an internet-based motivational intervention to reduce problematic internet use and promote treatment motivation in internet gaming disorder and IUD [19]. The cross-sectional web-based assessment used in this analysis was the first stage of contact in the newly developed internet-based health intervention, which is currently being evaluated as an RCT.…”

“…However, the first studies from health services research show significant therapeutic effects in symptom reduction and increasing the motivation to change [17]. Currently, study protocols are also published from the first ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to measure the effects of web-based therapy for IUDs [18,19]. However, it is still unclear if individuals having IUDs can be reached via the internet.…”