Treatment effects of art therapy on adolescents with problematic Internet gaming behavior

Problematic Internet gaming is prevalent among adolescents with depression, anxiety, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Art therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and attention problems. We hypothesized that art therapy would be effective in reducing the severity of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in adolescents and lead to better improvement in depression and anxiety compared to Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). We recruited 92 adolescents, aged 13–15, with problematic gaming behaviors (48 CBT, 44 art therapy). CBT (1 therapist, 4–5 adolescents) and art therapy (4 therapists, 8–10 adolescents) were conducted in 12 and 10 90-min sessions, respectively. Symptom severity was assessed pre- and post-intervention using scales for IGD, anxiety, attention problems, and depression. The Person Picking Apples from a Tree (PPAT) drawing test was used to assess self-image. IGD and ADHD symptoms decreased in both groups; however, these changes showed no significant between-group differences. Depression and anxiety significantly decreased in the art therapy group, compared to the CBT group. In the art therapy group, changes in “implied energy” on PPAT were negatively correlated with changes in depression and IGD scores. Both CBT and art therapy positively affected anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms. However, art therapy, which helps reduce stress hormones by stimulating brain regions through sensory and visual experiences, significantly reduced depression and anxiety compared to CBT. This study examined an art therapy method that could be considered abstract from a different perspective, utilizing PPAT, which allowed for a more scientific and systematic evaluation.