Treatment of Gaming Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Objectives: Given the disproportionate burden of gaming disorder (GD) on younger populations, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the current evidence base around treatment for children and adolescents. This systematic review aimed to summarize the available literature on GD treatment in younger populations.

Methods: A systematic search of five databases was conducted. Studies were eligible if they 1) evaluated psychological or pharmacological interventions targeting GD in children, adolescents, or parents seeking help for their children; 2) had at least one outcome of GD severity or gaming duration/frequency; and 3) employed a randomized controlled trial or quasi-experimental design. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the review, comprising 2157 participants. Interventions based on or delivered in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy were the most frequently studied (n=19), while a diverse range of other treatments (e.g., pharmacotherapy, online psychoeducation, and equine-assisted therapy) were explored in fewer studies. Despite promising findings across studies, the overall quality of evidence was inconsistent, with many studies lacking randomization, control groups, and long-term follow-up. Additionally, cross-study comparisons may have been limited by the variability in GD measures across studies, with 19 different assessment tools identified.

Conclusion: Although research on the treatment of GD in children and adolescents has grown, it remains in its early stages. To advance evidence-based treatment, future research should prioritize methodologically rigorous designs, standardized outcome measures, and long-term follow-up assessments.