Interventions for Digital Addiction: Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have explored interventions to reduce digital addiction outcomes, but inconclusive evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers, managers, and clinicians to become familiar with all available literature and find appropriate interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to summarize and assess the certainty of evidence of interventions proposed to decrease digital addiction from published meta-analyses.

METHODS

An umbrella review of published meta-analyses was performed. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase for meta-analyses published up to February 2024. Eligible studies evaluated interventions using randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, or quasi-experimental studies and were assessed for methodological quality using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews version 2. A random effects model was used to analyze data, considering heterogeneity and publication bias. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations was applied to assess evidence with certainty.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies assessing 21 associations were included in the umbrella review, of which 4 (80%) were high-quality meta-analyses. Weak evidence was observed in 19 associations, whereas null associations appeared in the remaining 2 associations. These associations pertained to 8 interventions (group counseling, integrated internet addiction [IA] prevention programs, psychosocial interventions, reality therapy, self-control training programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, interventions to reduce screen time in children, and exercise) and 9 outcomes (self-control, self-esteem, internet gaming disorder symptoms, time spent gaming, IA scores, screen use time, interpersonal sensitivity longlines, anxiety, and depression). Cognitive behavioral therapy reduces anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.939, 95% CI 0.311 to 1.586), internet gaming disorder symptoms (SMD 1.394, 95% CI 0.664 to 2.214), time spent gaming (SMD 1.259, 95% CI, 0.311 to 2.206), and IA scores (SMD -2.097, 95% CI -2.814 to -1.381). Group counseling had a large effect on improving self-control (SMD 1.296, 95% CI 0.269 to 2.322) and reducing IA levels (SMD -1.417, 95% CI -1.836 to -0.997). Exercise intervention reduced IA scores (SMD -2.322, 95% CI -3.212 to -1.431), depression scores (SMD -1.421, 95% CI -2.046 to -797), and interpersonal sensitivity scores (SMD -1.433, 95% CI -2.239 to -0.627).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence indicates that current interventions to reduce digital addiction are weak. Data from more and better-designed studies with larger sample sizes are needed to establish robust evidence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42024528173; crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=528173.