An interventional study of Systematic self-help training program for enhancing social reward and general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder . in Internet Gaming Disorder, sponsored by The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-22.
Sponsored by The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 22 studies in Internet Addiction Disorder with a site in China — 4 open to participants now, 4 under way, none of them phase 3. Internet Addiction Disorder · China.
Among the 22 studies in Internet Addiction Disorder with a site in China, this one is the 13th largest by planned enrollment of the 20 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 2 that started in 2026, is one of 20 with no phase, and was the 20th registered.
166 studies on the registry are indexed under Internet Addiction Disorder; 47 are open to participants now.
Browse Internet Addiction Disorder studies →4 of the 22 studies in Internet Addiction Disorder with a site in China are open now. Recruiting first, the newest first:
The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University · Sites in China
Ages 18–35
Jin-tao Zhang · Sites in China
Ages 18–30 · Healthy volunteers
Peking University · Sites in China
Ages 18–30
A study can be open while its sites in China have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in China →
Of the 21 Internet Addiction Disorder studies recruiting now, 4 (19%) set no upper age limit and 17 (81%) stop at 75 or younger; 7 take children under 18; 12 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 18 Years to 35 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
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22 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2012; this study’s year is marked. 2 started in 2026.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 88 across 96 interventional studies indexed under Internet Addiction Disorder.
Median enrollment 90 across the 20 interventional studies, 1,977 across the 2 observational. Of the 10 that completed or were terminated, 0 (0%) have results posted.
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None of the 22 has an industry lead sponsor. The 10 most frequent:
The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University is the lead sponsor of 18 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University has 2 studies filed under Internet Addiction Disorder — fewer than ten, so there is no comparison to draw.
1 of the studies in Internet Addiction Disorder with a site in China that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT06957392The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical UniversityMechanisms and Interventions of Social Reward on Cognitive Control in Internet Gaming Disorder | 2026-12-25 |
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Among the 22 studies in Internet Addiction Disorder with a site in China, from their registry updates:
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Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) involves impaired cognitive control linked to reduced social reward and dACC-DLPFC brain circuit dysfunction. Enhancing social reward may restore this circuit and improve symptoms. This study uses psychological interventions and neuroimaging to explore and treat IGD.
Cognitive control decline is a key factor in the long-term persistence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) circuit serves as the neural mechanism underlying the maintenance of normal cognitive control function. Social reward activities have been shown to enhance the function of both the dACC and DLPFC. IGD patients exhibit reduced social reward sensitivity alongside diminished functional activity in these two brain regions. Our previous research found that psychological interventions aimed at improving cognitive control can alleviate IGD symptoms; however, individuals with poor social interaction still show limited improvement. Based on these findings, we propose the hypothesis that reduced social reward sensitivity in IGD leads to weakened functional connectivity of the dACC-DLPFC circuit, resulting in cognitive control deficits and exacerbation of IGD behaviors. Enhancing social reward is expected to promote functional connectivity within the dACC-DLPFC circuit, thereby improving cognitive control and mitigating IGD symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct the following studies: (1) Employing a combination of E-Prime behavioral paradigms, event-related potentials (ERP), and neuroimaging techniques to investigate the attenuated facilitative effects of social reward on cognitive control in IGD patients, and examine its correlation with reduced functional connectivity in the dACC-DLPFC circuit. (2) Designing a psychological intervention aimed at enhancing social reward sensitivity, to evaluate its efficacy in improving cognitive control and reducing IGD severity.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
1. A single-blind randomized controlled trial is conducted. 30 people, assigned to SRI group (Social Reward Intervention group) , will be received a psychological self-help program aimed at enhancing social reward sensitivity. 2. Assessments including standardized scales, behavioral tests, and neuroimaging are conducted once before and once after the intervention. 3. During the course, participants will receive twice-weekly online guidance sessions totaling eight sessions, which mainly focus on practicing ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) psychological skills, checking progress in social reward learning, and monitoring course advancement. Additionally, one to two offline group discussions are held regularly to enhance treatment adherence and ensure active participation in the self-help program. 4. The entire intervention lasts approximately one month, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.
Behavioral: Systematic self-help training program for enhancing social reward
1. A single-blind randomized controlled trial is conducted. 30 people, assigned to Control group, was provided with standard educational courses introducing general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder, while the others are assigned to SRI group (Social Reward Intervention group). Both groups have equivalent learning durations and delivery formats. 2. Assessments including standardized scales, behavioral tests, and neuroimaging are conducted once before and once after the intervention. 3. During the course, participants will receive twice-weekly online guidance sessions totaling eight sessions. 4. The entire intervention lasts approximately one month, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.
Behavioral: general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder .
Based on previous research, this study has made significant innovations and optimizations within the traditional framework of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We have specifically developed a systematic self-help training module aimed at enhancing social reward, which includes components such as social scenario experience, social skills training, and the improvement of social reward sensitivity. A single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted, dividing IGD participants into two groups. The SRI group (Social Reward Intervention group) will receive a psychological self-help training program designed to improve social reward, while the other (Control group) will receive a course introducing general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder. Both groups will have identical learning durations and modalities. The self-help training consists of 8 sessions, delivered twice weekly through a blended online and offline learning format, lasting approximately one month.
A single-blind randomized controlled trial is conducted. 30 people, assigned to Control group, was provided with standard educational courses introducing general knowledge about Internet Gaming Disorder. Assessments including standardized scales, behavioral tests, and neuroimaging are conducted once before and once after the intervention. During the course, participants will receive twice-weekly online guidance sessions totaling eight sessions. The entire intervention lasts approximately one month, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.
Severity of Gaming Disorder
The severity of gaming disorder was assessed using the Gaming Disorder Screening Scale (GDSS), which consists of 18 Likert-scale items. Each item has four response options (1 = never; 2 = sometimes; 3 = often; 4 = always), with a total score range of 18 to 72. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using ICD-11 as the gold standard, a total score of ≥47 indicates a high risk of gaming disorder
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Social Reward
Social reward function was measured using the Social Pleasure subscale of the Multidimensional Anhedonia Scale. This subscale includes 4 items, and participants were first asked to list two current or past social activities that brought them happiness, then to respond to each item assessing aspects such as willingness to engage in these activities and the pleasure experienced during participation.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Executive Function
Executive function was evaluated using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), comprising 75 items scored on a 3-point Likert scale ranging from "never" to "often." Higher scores on the Global Executive Composite (GEC) reflect greater executive function impairment.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Changes of Behavioral Indicators
Behavioral measures included performance indices from the Social Incentive Delay Task and a Social Reward-modified Stop-Signal Task, including hit rate, reaction time for correct hits, Stop-Signal Delay (SSD), and Stop-Signal Reaction Time (SSRT). A reduced hit rate and prolonged reaction time under social reward cue conditions in the Social Incentive Delay Task indicate impaired social reward processing. In the Stop-Signal Task, a higher SSD and shorter SSRT under reward conditions compared to no-reward groups suggest that social reward enhances cognitive control.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Changes of Electrophysiological Indicators
Event-related potential (ERP) components N200 and P300 elicited during the Stop-Signal Task were analyzed with respect to amplitude and latency. N200 amplitude indexed conflict monitoring, while P300 latency reflected inhibitory control capacity.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Neuroimaging Indicators
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess the strength of functional connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 month
Plan to share: No
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Started Jan 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 11 months after the start.
Of 72 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Internet Addiction Disorder, half reached primary completion within 6 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 10. This study's planned 11 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 72 studies reached it within 6 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 10.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University