Internet and video game addictions: a cognitive behavioral approach

Dependência de Internet e de jogos eletrônicos: um enfoque cognitivo-comportamental

Background

While several benefits are attributed to the Internet and video games, an important proportion of the population presents symptoms related to possible new technological addictions and there has been little discussion of treatment of problematic technology use. Although demand for knowledge is growing, only a small number of treatments have been described.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of the literature, to establish Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a possible strategy for treating Internet and video game addictions.

Method

The review was conducted in the following databases: Science Direct on Line, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Clinical Trials Library, BVS and SciELO. The keywords used were: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; therapy; treatment; with association to the terms Internet addiction and video game addiction. Given the scarcity of studies in the field, no restrictions to the minimum period of publication were made, so that articles found until October 2013 were accounted.

Results

Out of 72 articles found, 23 described CBT as a psychotherapy for Internet and video game addiction. The manuscripts showed the existence of case studies and protocols with satisfactory efficacy.

Discussion

Despite the novelty of technological dependencies, CBT seems to be applicable and allows an effective treatment for this population.

Cognitive behavioral therapy; treatment; Internet gaming disorder; Internet addiction; video game addiction