Gaming-based program for internet gaming disorder: feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a structured camp program

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Controlled trials support psychosocial interventions for adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
• Short, highly structured residential camp formats for IGD are underreported.
• Feasibility, safety, and process data from routine service settings are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate feasibility and safety of a structured gaming camp program.
• Assess short-term entry-to-exit signals of the camp intervention.
• Provide implementation evidence for a brief, highly structured residential format.

Main Methods:

• Single-group, entry-to-exit evaluation of a 7-day structured camp for 12 adolescents (11-16 years) with IGD.
• Primary outcomes: Gaming Disorder Screening Scale (GDSS), Game Addiction Scale-7 (GAS-7), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) craving.
• Secondary outcomes included impulsiveness, depression, anxiety, social avoidance, and interpersonal reactivity.

Main Results:

• 100% completion rate and 98.6% attendance; no serious adverse events.
• Significant reductions in primary outcomes: GDSS (p<0.001), GAS-7 (p=0.003), VAS craving (p=0.012).
• High-risk IGD and moderate-to-severe craving significantly decreased; supportive changes in some secondary outcomes observed.

Conclusions:

• A short, highly structured gaming-based residential camp is feasible and safe.
• The camp format shows potential for short-term reductions in IGD symptom severity and craving.
• This pilot data supports further controlled studies on service-based camp formats for IGD.