The effect and neural changes underlying mindfulness meditation training in patients with comorbid internet gaming disorder and depression: A randomized clinical trial.
Translational Psychiatry February 18, 2026 Xuefeng Xu, Huabin Wang, Shaoyu Cui et al.
Mindfulness meditation (MM) reduced depression, addiction severity, and cravings in patients with internet gaming disorder and co-occurring depression (IGD-D) more than progressive muscle relaxation did. After 8 training sessions over one month, brain scans showed that MM strengthened functional connectivity in networks involved in executive control, emotion regulation, and self-referential thought. These connectivity changes correlated with several neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin and dopamine receptors. The findings suggest MM works by enhancing top-down control and disrupting negative reinforcement mechanisms, making it a promising therapy for IGD-D.