A pilot study of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for internet gaming disorder among college-aged students in South Korea
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17598517 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17598517 |
| Sponsor | Culture, Sports and Tourism R&D Program through the Korea Creative Content Agency |
| Funder | Culture, Sports and Tourism R&D Program through the Korea Creative Content Agency |
- Submission date
- 16/11/2025
- Registration date
- 19/11/2025
- Last edited
- 18/11/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year
Plain English summary of protocol
Not provided at time of registration
Contact information
Dr Anderson Yoon
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
25-2, Sungkyunkwan-Ro, Jongno-Gu
Seoul
03063
Korea, South
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-2185-4382 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +82 1025567116 |
| andersonyoon@skku.edu |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) | |
| Control | Uncontrolled | |
| Assignment | Parallel | |
| Purpose | Treatment | |
| Scientific title | A pilot study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for internet gaming disorder among college students in South Korea: Effects on IGD symptoms and related psychological outcomes | |
| Study acronym | MBCT-G | |
| Study objectives | This study pilot-tested the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for internet gaming disorder (MBCT-G) among college-aged students, focusing on reducing symptoms of internet gaming disorder and secondarily psychological benefits. | |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 23/12/2024, The institutional review board of the Sungkyunkwan university (25-2, Sungkyunkwan-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03063, Korea, South; +82 312996711; pbh7943@skku.edu), ref: SKKU-2024-12-023 | |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Internet gaming disorder | |
| Intervention | The intervention group (n = 24) participated in eight group sessions of MBCT-G and a control group (n = 22) received no intervention. This intervention involved the following eight session themes: (a) waking up from autopilot, (b) another way of being: keeping the body in mind, (c) gathering the scattered mind, (d) recognizing reactivity, (e) allowing and letting be, (f) responding skillfully to realize that thoughts are not facts, (g) how can I take care of myself, and (h) mindfulness of life (Bernard et al., 2020; Feldman & Kuyken, 2019). Participants were randomly assigned using Microsoft Excel software to generate a list of random numbers. Randomization was performed by a research team member, but the principal investigator who conducted the intervention was blinded regarding group assignment. When recruiting participants, it was announced that those assigned to the intervention group must attend eight sessions, with the schedule provided in advance. Participants were blinded to the study hypotheses. | |
| Intervention type | Behavioural | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | ||
| Completion date | 30/06/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 19 Years |
| Upper age limit | 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 46 |
| Total final enrolment | 46 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Enrolled in college or university 2. High risk of IGD 3. Between the ages of 19 and 24 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | History of psychosis, intellectual disabilities (intelligence quotient of 70 or less), or risk of suicidal attempts |
| Date of first enrolment | 31/12/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 12/01/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Korea, South
Study participating centre
Sungkyunkwan University
25-2, Sungkyunkwan-Ro, Jongno-Gu
Seoul
03063
Korea, South
Seoul
03063
Korea, South
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Editorial Notes
17/11/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by The institutional review board of the Sungkyunkwan university.
