Both online and face-to-face mindfulness meditation can change cortical structure in internet gaming disorder.
Haohao Dong, Huabin Wang, Xuefeng Xu, Xuefeng Ma, Haosen Ni, Chang Liu, Xiaolan Song, Guangheng Dong, Renlai Zhou
Journal of Psychiatric Research October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.08.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Patients with Internet Gaming Disorder |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Progressive muscle relaxation |
| Duration | 8 training sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cortical morphology Internet gaming disorder Mindfulness meditation Structural covariance |
| Key findings | Both online and face-to-face mindfulness meditation reduced IGD severity and enhanced cortical thickness in the superior temporal gyrus and local gyrification index in the left superior temporal gyrus and right insula. |
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation (MM) has been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and improve neural functioning. However, it remains unclear whether both online and face-to-face MM can enhance cortical structure, a stable and reliable neural biomarker. This study included 100 IGD patients randomly assigned to three groups: face-to-face MM (31 participants), online MM (38 participants), or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) (31 participants). Pre- and post-assessments were conducted after 8 training sessions. Cortical area, volume, thickness, and local gyrification index (LGI) changes were analyzed using FreeSurfer, with group comparisons and seed-based structural covariance analysis. Both online and face-to-face MM significantly reduced IGD severity. Structural analysis revealed increased cortical thickness in the superior temporal gyrus (face-to-face + online vs. PMR: t = 4.725, p = 0.014). The face-to-face group also showed significant increases in LGI in the left superior temporal gyrus (t = 6.030, p < 0.001) and right insula (t = 3.792, p = 0.009). All results were correlated with reduced IGD severity. Structural covariance further revealed that MM (face-to-face + online) reduced the covariance between the right superior temporal gyrus and both the default mode and sensory networks. Both online and face-to-face MM reduce IGD severity and enhance cortical structures, such as the superior temporal and the right insula, highlighting potential neuroanatomical targets for IGD treatment.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 21
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- The wandering brain: Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies of mind-wandering and related spontaneous thought processes Neuroimage February 25, 2015
- Mindfulness starts with the body: somatosensory attention and top-down modulation of cortical alpha rhythms in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2013
- Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
and 16 more in the library