Group-based IMPROVE Therapy for Problematic Internet Use in University Students
ConditionProblematic Internet Use
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-30
SponsorSir Run Run Shaw Hospital
About this trial
Problematic internet use (PIU) is a growing behavioral health concern among university students. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and psychological mechanisms of "IMPROVE," a manualized, multimodal group-based psychotherapy. The IMPROVE program integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies with motivational elements, mindfulness training, and socially interactive exercise. In this randomized controlled trial, 600 university students with moderate to severe PIU will be randomized to either the 8-week IMPROVE intervention or an enhanced waitlist control group. The primary outcome is the change in PIU severity, assessed by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) score, from baseline to the post-intervention endpoint (8 weeks).
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
be university students aged between 18 and 30 years;
report subjective suffering regarding their own internet use and score 50 or above on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), indicating at least a moderate level of PIU;
own a personal smartphone or other electronic communication device to ensure accessibility to digital intervention components;
provide written informed consent prior to enrollment.
Disqualifiers
a self-reported history of substance use (excluding tobacco and alcohol) within the past 12 months;
current or previous participation in any form of psychotherapy for PIU;
the presence of severe physical or neurological conditions (e.g., organic brain diseases, history of traumatic brain injury, or coma);
a self-reported history of diagnosed psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- IMPROVE Program
- Digital Psychoeducation Newsletters
Treatment groups
600 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov