The comparison of neurocognitive functions between internet-addicted, methamphetamine users, and healthy participants

Internet use has grown substantially over the past decade. As a result, individuals are more at risk of developing internet addiction. Studies have shown that internet addiction results in neurocognitive dysfunctions. The current study aimed to compare the cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory performance of internet-addicted, at-risk internet-addicted individuals and methamphetamine users to healthy participants using the Wisconsin card sorting task, n-back, and Stroop color and word test. The results showed no significant differences between at-risk internet-addicted and internet-addicted with the healthy group in the Wisconsin card sorting task and in the Stroop test. Surprisingly, the mean n-back accuracy was not significantly different between methamphetamine users and the internet-addicted group. The mean n-back accuracy in the internet-addicted group was significantly lower than that of healthy and at-risk internet addicts. In conclusion, working memory can be impaired under the influence of internet addiction. The results can lead to develop possible intervention programs aimed at prevention of internet addiction by helping individuals identify and modify their problematic use habits, reducing internet addiction and improving cognitive functioning.