"Small Achievements Can Prevent Internet Gaming Addiction"

Samsung Medical Center Analyzes Brainwaves of 91 Adults

A recent study has found that boosting self-efficacy through small achievement experiences may help prevent and manage Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).

The research team led by Jeongseok Choi and Hong Choi, Professors of Psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center, analyzed the brainwave (EEG) responses to game screens in a total of 91 participants, including 46 adults diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder and 45 healthy adults. The results were published in the latest issue of the international journal 'Frontiers in Public Health', the team announced on June 23.

Jungseok Choi, Professor of Psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center. Samsung Medical Center

Internet Gaming Disorder is a condition in which individuals are unable to control their gaming use, leading to significant disruptions in daily life, including academic, occupational, and interpersonal functioning. The global prevalence is approximately 6.7%, similar to that of alcohol addiction, and with the increasing availability of smartphones and high-performance games, it is emerging as a significant social issue.

The research team recorded brainwaves by showing participants both game screens and regular photos, measuring the size of electrical signals (LPP) that appeared in the brain immediately after viewing the game screens. At the same time, participants' levels of self-efficacy and interpersonal relationships were assessed through surveys.

The study found that when viewing game screens, individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder and healthy adults exhibited different brainwave responses in the central-parietal regions of the brain. Further in-depth analysis of the origins of these brainwave signals revealed that individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder showed higher neural activity in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe compared to healthy adults. Additionally, within the group of Internet Gaming Disorder patients, those with lower self-efficacy scores exhibited greater electrical signals (LPP) in response to game screens.

The research team interpreted these findings by stating, "The areas that responded are sensory processing regions that connect visual cues with hand manipulation. As gaming is repeated over time, the body learns to react to the screen even before conscious control, which can lead to a habitual pattern of continued gaming." They added, "Lower self-efficacy is associated with weaker control over impulses in response to gaming stimuli, making individuals more vulnerable to Internet Gaming Disorder."

Professor Jeongseok Choi commented, "This is the first study to objectively confirm, using brainwave data, the relationship between brain responses and self-efficacy in individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder,"

adding, "Positive experiences and lifestyle management that enhance self-efficacy may help in the prevention and management of Internet Gaming Disorder."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.