Resource-strengthening training for adolescents with problematic gaming (Res@t-A): Results from an exploratory single-arm pre-post-follow-up intervention study

Background and aims: Gaming is a popular leisure activity among adolescents. Yet, they are especially vulnerable to develop problematic gaming (PG). Those affected are often additionally impaired by deficits in attention, mood, emotion regulation, sleep quality, and social skills. Thus, effective treatment offers should address main PG symptomology and associated problems alike. However, clinical studies on multi-faceted treatments of adolescents are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to preliminarily test feasibility and efficacy of the newly developed, fully manualized CBT-based program Res@t-A to inform future randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: 74 adolescent patients with PG (11-19 years) were recruited from the routine psychiatric clinical setting in Germany. Participants attended group therapy sessions weekly over eight weeks. Retention and attendance rates were evaluated as feasibility indicators. Standardized questionnaires were used to explore efficacy modelled as changes in PG symptoms, perceived stress, emotional dysregulation, and emotional, behavioral and sleep problems in an uncontrolled pre-post-follow-up design. Results: Retention rate was only 50% but attendance rate reached almost 80%. Promising signs of efficacy were observed for main PG symptoms and for associated problems with moderate to large effects. Differences in treatment setting played a significant role in the improvement of sleep problems. Discussion and conclusions: The present study revealed encouraging first results on feasibility and efficacy for a new comprehensive treatment of adolescents with PG in clinical settings. Together with the priorly published parental program Res@t-P, Res@t-A offers a parallelized treatment within a family-centered approach. RCTs are urgently needed for further investigations.