Related Experiment Videos
Therapeutic Interventions Targeted at Problematic Use of Digital Technology: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
Yatan Pal Singh Balhara1,2, Oshmita Bhattacharjee2, Riya Kaur Bhatia2
1Behavioral Addictions Clinic (BAC), Centre for Advanced Research on Addictive Behaviors (CAR-AB), ICMR Collaborative Centre of Excellence on Addictions (CCoE), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India, 91 1126593236.
JMIR Mental Health
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Structured psychological therapies effectively treat problematic internet use and smartphone addiction. More research is needed for emerging digital behaviors and less-studied digital addictions.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Behavioral Psychology
- Clinical Interventions
Background:
- Problematic digital technology use is a growing global concern.
- Existing research on treatment effectiveness for diverse digital behaviors is fragmented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions for problematic digital technology use.
- To synthesize evidence across different behavioral domains of digital technology misuse.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase identified 125 studies (73 RCTs, 32 non-RCTs, etc.).
- Interventions included psychological therapies, digital programs, exercise, pharmacological, neuromodulation, and multicomponent approaches.
Main Results:
- Psychological treatments showed strong effects for problematic internet use (SMD=-2.68) and smartphone addiction (SMD=-1.49).
- Digital interventions were effective for problematic internet use (SMD=-1.16).
- Exercise-based programs significantly improved smartphone addiction (SMD=-3.07); psychological treatments showed mixed results for gaming disorder (SMD=-1.01).
Conclusions:
- Structured psychological therapies demonstrate the most consistent benefits for problematic digital technology use.
- Interventions should focus on controlling usage and reducing cues associated with high digital engagement.
- Further high-quality research is required for emerging digital behaviors and less-studied conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:16Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Overview and Classification
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is a clinical practice that measures specific drug levels in a patient's blood at designated intervals to ensure the drug concentration stays within a therapeutic range. This monitoring is crucial for optimizing individual dosage regimens, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing drug-related toxicity. TDM is vital for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, significant variability in pharmacokinetics, and a clear correlation between plasma levels and...