Excessive Use of Short Video Modulates the Temporal Dynamics of Resting-State Electroencephalography Networks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Digital Media Studies

Background:

• Short video consumption is widespread, raising concerns about excessive use linked to cognitive and mental health issues.
• The impact of excessive short video use on intrinsic large-scale brain network dynamics is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between excessive short video use and alterations in resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate dynamics.
• To identify specific EEG microstate changes in individuals with excessive short video use compared to moderate users.

Main Methods:

• 154 participants were categorized into excessive use (EU) and moderate use (MU) groups based on a short video addiction questionnaire.
• Resting-state EEG data (eyes-closed) were analyzed to identify four canonical microstates (A-D).
• Mixed-design ANOVAs assessed differences in microstate duration, frequency, time coverage, and transition probabilities between groups; Support Vector Machine (SVM) analysis was also performed.

Main Results:

• The excessive use group exhibited increased frequency and time coverage of microstate C and decreased frequency and time coverage of microstate D compared to the moderate use group.
• Transitions toward microstate C were more frequent, while transitions involving microstate D were less frequent in the excessive use group.
• Support Vector Machine analysis demonstrated moderate classification accuracy (82.4% cross-validation, 71.0% hold-out test) between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Excessive short video use is associated with a selective reorganization of resting-state brain dynamics, particularly affecting microstates C and D.
• These observed brain dynamic alterations may negatively influence cognitive-emotional functions, including attentional regulation and executive control.
• The findings highlight potential neural underpinnings of cognitive dysfunction associated with excessive short video engagement.