Current diagnostic procedures and interventions for Gaming Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Gaming Disorder (GD) research is expanding, yet clinical subject characteristics remain under-assessed.
• A comprehensive systematic review is crucial to consolidate existing knowledge on GD clinical profiles.
• This review addresses the need for a cross-cultural overview of GD diagnostic and intervention practices.

Approach:

• Systematic review of 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria.
• Data synthesis across cultural background, GD measurement instruments, diagnostic criteria, procedures, and treatment protocols.
• Analysis focused on heterogeneity in clinical practice for Gaming Disorder.

Key Points:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in instruments used for GD assessment.
• Diagnostic criteria and procedures for GD show considerable variation across studies.
• Intervention and treatment protocols for GD lack standardization in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

• Current clinical practices for Gaming Disorder exhibit substantial heterogeneity.
• There is a pressing need for validated, standardized procedures in GD clinical populations.
• Developing clear, shared guidelines for practitioners is essential for consistent GD management.