The executive function, behavioral systems, and heart rate variability in college students at risk of Mobile gaming addiction

Abstract

Objects

The prevalence of mobile gaming addiction (MGA) has risen as a result of technical advancements that have made it more portable and handier. Emotional distress and a decline in inhibitions might worsen addictions. The study sought to examine the physiological and neuropsychological indicators of MGA.

Methods

Following the examination of the online activities of 1774 students in their first year, we recruited 13 participants with MGA and 27 controls, utilizing the internet gaming disorder test (IGDT) and problematic mobile gaming questionnaire (PMGQ). They filled daily executive function scale (DEFS), brief symptom rating scale-50 (BSRS-50), and behavior inhibition/activation scale (BIS/BAS). The Iowa gambling task (IGT-2), Stroop color-word test (SCWT), and the digit-span of the Wechsler intelligence scale were administered. The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was measured at baseline, playing mobile games, and recovery condition. The independent t-test and repeated-measures ANOVA were used for analysis.

Results

There were similar demographics between groups. The MGAs exhibited reduced inhibitions in SCWT, decreased DEFS, less total money in IGT-2, and elevated distress in BSRS. Both groups showed decreased SDNN, very low frequency, and total power during gameplay. However, the F-test indicated interaction effects of the proportion of NN50 divided by total number of NNs and high-frequency during gameplay, indicating an elevated state for MGAs than controls.

Conclusion

MGAs exhibit lower executive function, inhibition, and increased negative mood. The MGAs decreased in HRV during gaming, suggesting potential connections to impaired inhibitory control and stress-related responses. Further study is needed to clarify the mechanisms that contribute to MGA and differentiate it from broader frameworks of internet addiction.