Functional connectivity-related changes underlying mindfulness meditation for internet gaming disorder: a randomized clinical trial.
Xuefeng Xu, Haosen Ni, Huabin Wang, Tongtong Wang, Chang Liu, Xiaolan Song, Guang-Heng Dong
npj Mental Health Research July 31, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-025-00154-6 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractInternet gaming disorder involves abnormal functional connectivity in brain networks for executive control and reward processing. A randomized clinical trial with 80 patients compared mindfulness meditation (twice-weekly for 8 sessions) to progressive muscle relaxation. Mindfulness meditation enhanced connectivity within the executive control network and between the executive control and reward networks, improving top-down control over gaming cravings. The findings suggest mindfulness meditation can effectively treat internet gaming disorder.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Patients with internet gaming disorder |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Progressive muscle relaxation |
| Duration | 8 sessions over 8 weeks |
| Key finding | Mindfulness meditation enhanced functional connectivity within the executive control network and frontostriatal pathway, improving top-down control over game craving. |
Abstract
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is recognized as a mental health issue. Traditional interventions have limitations, but mindfulness meditation (MM) shows promise due to its flexibility and social acceptance. Study 1, fMRI data from 61 IGD patients and 60 healthy controls (HCs) were compared to assess functional connectivity (FC). Study 2- a randomized clinical trial, 80 IGD patients underwent either an MM intervention (twice-weekly for 8 sessions) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as a control (pre-registered-Chinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR2300075869, September 18, 2023). Study 1 revealed abnormal FC within the executive control network (ECN) and between the ECN and reward network in IGD patients. Study 2 showed that MM enhanced FC within the ECN and frontostriatal pathway. MM refining the coupling between brain regions involved in executive control and reward processing. This enhancement improves top-down control over game craving. These findings suggest that MM can effectively treat IGD.