NCT06582979

Effect of Computer-Based Game and HIIT Towards Symptoms, Executive Function and Neuroplasticity in Teens with IGD

The Effect of Combined Intervention (Indonesian Computer-Based Game Therapy and High-Intensity Interval Training) Towards Clinical Symptoms, Executive Function and Neuroplasticity in Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder: Study Protocol

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 44 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Indonesia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 13 Years – 15 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how effective a combined therapy of computer-based game and also high-intensity interval training (HIIT) physical exercise to improve the clinical symptoms, executive function and neuroplasticity in teenagers with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Executive function refers to the brain's ability to manage tasks such as planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. BDNF is a protein crucial for brain health and development. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life. High-intensity interval training involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest or recovery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How effective are computer-based game and HIIT exercises in reducing addiction symptoms of IGD? * Will computer-based game and HIIT exercise help teens who are addicted to video games to improve their executive function (become more able to plan ahead and meet goals, display self-control and also follow multiple-step directions)? * Do computer-based game and HIIT exercise help brains of teens with IGD to be more able to change and adapt? Researchers will compare the improvement before and after the therapies. Participants will: * Undergo both therapies (computer-based game and HIIT) every week for 7 weeks. Computer-based game will be done 3 times/week and HIIT 2 times/week * fill out forms, interviewed and also have their blood sample taken for a total of three times (before the start of the therapy, during the 4th week of therapy and after the final therapy session on the 7th week)

Detailed description

This is a study protocol of a clinical study to examine the effectiveness of computer-based game and high-intensity interval training towards improvement of clinical symptoms, executive function and neuroplasticity in adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). According to calculations, our study will aim for a minimum of 44 participants using purposive sampling. Participants will drop-out of the study if they missed \>10% participation (\>3 sessions out of 35 total sessions). Analysis of the effectiveness of both interventions (computer-based game and HIIT exercise) on improvement of clinical symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder will be done using McNemar test. Meanwhile, analysis of the effectiveness of both interventions towards executive function and neuroplasticity will be done using paired-T tests. Significance levels will be set at 0.05 for analysis. All data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS v. 26.0.

Conditions

• Internet Gaming Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Computer-Based Game Therapy	Computer-based game intervention will be done three times a week, every morning before school lessons begin or during break time. Researchers will give a brief explanation of the rules on how to play the game before the intervention begins. In the game, participants will act as a fruit truck delivery driver and will have to sort out fruit delivery to different houses according to the instructions of the game. For example, the instruction starts with delivering a yellow-colored banana to a house with a red-colored roof, or delivering a purple-colored grape to a house with a blue-colored roof. Participants will first have to finish a minimum of three tutorial rounds reaching ≥75% correct delivery. Instructions will be divided into four stages; visual stimulus, auditory stimulus, visual stimulus with an obstacle, auditory stimulus with an obstacle. Each round will last for 2 minutes. Total time needed to complete a single computer-based intervention session is around 30-45 minutes.
BEHAVIORAL	High-Intensity Interval Training	HIIT will be done two times a week during physical education hours (in the school's sports field) led by the school's physical education teacher and also certified physical trainers who have undergone training supervised by a sports medicine physician. Before the start of each HIIT session, participants will have their pulse rate assessed with a pulse oximetry and then undergo warm-up for 5 minutes. The duration of each HIIT session will be continuously extended starting at around 4 minutes (1 tabata block/8 moves) during the first week to 8 minutes (2 tabata block/16 moves) during the final week. A single tabata block moveset incorporates 8 total moves; squat jump, push up, high skipping, burpees, isometric front plank, multi jumps on bench, mountain climber in hand plank and lateral sprint (5m). Each move will be done for 20 seconds, followed by a 10 second rest. Pulse rate will be assessed again after the HIIT session and then participants will undergo cooling down and relaxation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-16
• Primary completion: 2025-03-06
• Completion: 2025-07-21
• First posted: 2024-09-03
• Last updated: 2024-09-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Indonesia