Background and objectives
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is prevalent with limited treatment efficacy. Targeting reducing craving triggered by gaming cues is a critical therapeutic objective. This study aimed to establish optimized electroencephalography (EEG) biomarkers for IGD and develop a novel targeted neuromodulation protocol.
Methods
In the exploratory study, the optimized EEG indicators of IGD diagnose were identified through machine learning models based on event-related potential (ERP) and band power during game cue exposure across two independent datasets (Dataset 1: twenty-five IGD, twenty-two Recreational Game Users, twenty-eight non-gaming Healthy Controls (HC); Dataset 2: twenty-three IGD and twenty-three HC). Subsequently, in the intervention study, a double-blind randomized trial was conducted on forty-six IGD participants to compare active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the region where the optimized EEG marker was located—central parietal lobe (Pz). Active stimulation (1.5 mA, 20 min, 2 days) was applied during cue exposure (cathode: Pz; anode: right trapezius).
Results
Parieto-occipital P300 (peaked at Pz, IGD > HC) during game reactivity emerged as novel optimized EEG indicators for IGD discrimination (accuracy>80 %), linked to craving. Then, Pz targeted cathodal tDCS synchronized with game cue exposure could significantly reduce craving (p < 0.001), gaming time (p < 0.001), and P300 alpha (p = 0.048) after intervention and at 1–4 weeks follow-ups, with concomitant improvement of decision-making in the active group. Importantly, these effects generalized to unpresented gaming cues. Besides, we identified baseline delta power at Pz during gaming cues as a significant predictor for treatment effects.
Conclusion
Our findings establish cue-synchronized tDCS as an effective intervention approach and position the Pz as a novel therapeutic target for IGD neuromodulation.
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