Behavioral modification decreases approach bias in young adults with internet gaming disorder

One of the key symptoms of Internet gaming disorder is the impulsive pursuit of Internet games, which causes individuals with this disorder to have a tendency to approach gaming cues. Dual processing theory states that this approach bias is caused by the suppression of reflective processing and the hyperactivity of impulsive processing. Therefore, reverse modification training for approach bias can suppress impulsive processing, thereby reducing or treating the disorder.

In this study, 48 individuals with Internet gaming disorder were selected and randomly assigned to the following two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The 24 participants in the experimental group received a 4-day stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) approach bias modification treatment, whereas the 24 participants in the control group received a corresponding SRC pseudomodification training.

The approach response time of both groups to the gaming cues was significantly shorter than that to the neutral cues at baseline. After the modification, the response time of the experimental group to the gaming cues significantly increased, whereas the scores for Internet gaming disorder severity, anxiety level and craving significantly decreased. However, the control group subjects did not show these effects.

The current results imply that individuals with Internet gaming disorder show approach bias toward Internet gaming cues, and SRC reverse modification training can significantly correct this bias and therefore have therapeutic effects to some extent.