Clinical trial NCT03646448: Intervening in Problematic Internet Use
Official title: Intervening in Problematic Internet Use - Preventive Measures for Risk Groups
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Internet Use Disorders
Keywords: Internet Use Disorders
Brief Intervention
Motivational Interviewing
CBT
Proactive
Lead sponsor: University of Luebeck
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Federal Ministry of Health, Germany
First posted: 2018-08-24
Enrollment: 470
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The present study examines the efficacy of a brief intervention for problematic Internet use based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a sample of students screened proactively in vocational schools in Northern Germany. Participants will be randomized in an intervention and a control group. It is hypothesized that after 12 months, participants of the intervention group fulfill less DSM-5 criteria for Internet use disorders, spend less time in the Internet, and suffer from less negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use, compared to the control group.

Detailed description: Problematic Internet use is an increasing problem, especially in younger age groups. A population-based study revealed elevated prevalences in adolescents and young adults. The present study aims to provide an intervention for this vulnerable group to change the problematic Internet use. This is suggested to prevent the development of more severe forms of dependence. Brief interventions using MI and elements of CBT have shown to be an adequate method to change addictive behaviors.

For the recruitment, students of vocational schools in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg in Northern Germany are screened proactively in classes. Participants fulfilling at least 21 points on the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) receive a diagnostic telephone interview. If fulfilling at least 2 DSM-5 criteria, participants will be randomly allocated to two conditions: (1) Intervention group with up to three telephone counseling sessions based on MI, (2) Control group receiving a booklet on problematic Internet use. Outcome measures are a reduction of DSM-5 criteria for Internet use disorders, a reduction of time spent on the Internet, and a reduction of negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use. The efficacy of the intervention will be examined after 6 and 12 months in follow-up interviews.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* CIUS score of 21 and at least 2 DSM-criteria
* At least 16 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current treatment for mental disorders

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change of DSM-5 criteria
timeFrame: Assessment of criteria at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
measure: Change of time spent on the Internet
timeFrame: Assessment of time on the Internet at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
measure: Change of disabilities caused by the problematic Internet use
timeFrame: Assessment of disabilities at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
measure: Change of negative consequences caused by the problematic Internet use
timeFrame: Assessment of negative consequences at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Readiness to change Internet use
timeFrame: Assessment of readiness to change at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
measure: Self-efficacy to change Internet use
timeFrame: Assessment of self-efficacy at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow ups
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lübeck
country: Germany
facility: University of Lübeck
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Lübeck
name: Hans-Jürgen Rumpf, PD Dr.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: