New research published in Biological psychiatry: cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging Mindfulness meditation has been found to reduce gaming cravings in people with internet gaming disorder. This effect is achieved by altering brain connectivity patterns, particularly between the default mode network and executive control-related brain regions. The findings of this study highlight that mindfulness is a promising intervention for managing addictive behaviors, with evidence showing its impact on both psychological symptoms and underlying neural mechanisms. Shown.
Internet gaming disorder, characterized by excessive gaming that interferes with daily life, is a growing concern around the world. People with this disorder often experience mental health problems such as depression and social isolation. Traditional treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacological interventions have shown mixed results, and our understanding of the neural mechanisms driving these outcomes is limited.
Previous studies have linked Internet gaming disorder to abnormalities in functional connectivity in brain regions associated with reward processing, executive control, and the default mode network. These abnormalities impair cognitive control and reinforce addictive behaviors. Given the limitations of existing treatments and the potential for mindfulness meditation to improve mental health, researchers in China believe that mindfulness can help address the neurological and psychological aspects of gaming addiction. I tried to find out if I could deal with it.
The study involved 80 participants diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder who were recruited through advertisements and screened through diagnostic interviews and tests. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness meditation group or a control group practicing progressive muscle relaxation. Both groups underwent eight training sessions over four weeks under the guidance of certified trainers. Mindfulness meditation emphasized present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation, while progressive muscle relaxation focused on systematic physical relaxation techniques.
Before and after the training period, participants completed assessments measuring the severity of their gaming addiction, their desire to play, and their level of mindfulness. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were used to assess changes in brain connectivity. The researchers focused on three brain regions: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left precuneus, and posterior cingulate cortex, which are key nodes in the executive control network and default mode network.
Researchers found that mindfulness meditation reduced the desire to game and the severity of Internet gaming disorder compared to a control intervention. Participants in the mindfulness group showed significant improvements in their mindfulness levels, which correlated with reduced symptoms of gaming addiction. The progressive muscle relaxation group also showed a small improvement, likely reflecting a mild placebo effect.
Participants who practiced mindfulness showed increased connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and other areas involved in decision-making and impulse control, such as the orbitofrontal cortex and superior frontal gyrus. These changes likely improved participants’ ability to control their desires and resist game cues.
One of the most notable outcomes was the enhancement of functional connectivity within the executive control network. This network is anchored by regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex, and plays an important role in decision-making and impulse control. Participants who participated in mindfulness meditation showed stronger connections within this network, suggesting an increased ability to resist gaming-related impulses and exert better self-control.
The study also found that mindfulness meditation improved connectivity between the executive control network and the default mode network. The default mode network, which includes the precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex, is typically active during self-referential thoughts and mind wandering. The strengthened connection between these two networks suggests that mindfulness promotes integration between the systems that manage external impulses and internal self-awareness.
Additionally, mindfulness meditation strengthened connections between the executive control network and reward-related brain regions such as the parahippocampal gyrus. The parahippocampal gyrus is involved in reward-related memory and motivation processing, which is often heightened in people with gaming addiction. By strengthening connectivity in these areas, mindfulness appears to desensitize the brain to game-related rewards, making participants more likely to resist cravings and adopt healthier behaviors.
Another interesting finding was the link between changes in brain connectivity and neurotransmitter systems, particularly those involving dopamine and serotonin. This study showed that increased connectivity in specific brain regions correlated with changes in dopamine and serotonin receptor activity. Because these neurotransmitters are central to reward processing and mood regulation, the findings suggest that mindfulness meditation may be effective in stabilizing neurochemical imbalances common in addictive behaviors. I’m doing it.
Although this study provides evidence of the benefits of mindfulness meditation in the treatment of Internet gaming disorder, it also has some limitations. First, this study focused only on resting-state functional connectivity and did not reveal the direction of changes in brain activity. Future studies could use effective connectivity analysis to identify causal relationships between brain regions.
Second, the control group that practiced progressive muscle relaxation showed small improvements, indicating a possible placebo effect. Incorporating additional control groups in future studies may shed light on the specific effects of mindfulness meditation. Finally, although this study demonstrated correlations between changes in brain connectivity and neurotransmitter systems, further research is needed to explore these relationships more deeply.
the study, “Mindfulness meditation training reduces gaming cravings by reshaping functional connectivity between the default mode network and executive control-related brain regions” authors are Xuefeng Xu, Xuefeng Ma, Haosen Ni, Huabin Wang, Tongtong Wang, Chang Liu, Xiaolan Song, and Guang-Heng Dong.
