Indigenously adapted cognitive–behavioral therapy for excessive smartphone use (IACBT-ESU): A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether 12 sessions of indigenously adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy for excessive smartphone use (IACBT-ESU) would reduce excessive smartphone use. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in students (12 to 19 years of age) to examine the potential beneficial effects of IACBT-ESU (n ϭ 62) compared with brief educational data alone (n ϭ 62). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and peer relations were also compared between the two groups. The IACBT-ESU group demonstrated significant reductions in excessive smartphone use, with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, hyperactivity, and emotional difficulties at both trial end and at 3-month follow-up (p Ͻ .01) compared with control participants. IACBT-ESU was associated with reduced excessive smartphone use and improved psychological well-being, with beneficial findings maintained 3 months after the trial's end.

Drug, demon, or donut? Theorizing the relationship between social media use, digital well-being and digital disconnection

“…In a recent RCT, Turel [30] found that a brief period of abstinence from social media is only effective in restoring (perceived) agency over social media use among users with high cognitive reflection tendencies, suggesting that the very susceptibilities that may lead social media overuse limit the success of detox interventions. An alternative are treatments that focus on retraining the brain in an attempt to remedy executive functioning deficits, for example, by strengthening individuals through cognitive behavioral therapy (e.g., [31,32,33]). However, such treatment methods are also in doubt as a recent meta-analysis finds them largely ineffective [34].…”