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Group-based IMPROVE Therapy for Problematic Internet Use in University Students

NCT07434778 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 600

Last updated 2026-08-05

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Problematic internet use (PIU) is a growing behavioral health concern among university students. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and psychological mechanisms of "IMPROVE," a manualized, multimodal group-based psychotherapy. The IMPROVE program integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies with motivational elements, mindfulness training, and socially interactive exercise. In this randomized controlled trial, 600 university students with moderate to severe PIU will be randomized to either the 8-week IMPROVE intervention or an enhanced waitlist control group. The primary outcome is the change in PIU severity, assessed by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) score, from baseline to the post-intervention endpoint (8 weeks).

Conditions

  • Problematic Internet Use

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

IMPROVE Program

A manualized, group-based, multimodal integrative psychotherapy. It integrates CBT-informed strategies, Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and Socially Interactive Exercise. Delivered over 8 weekly sessions (120 minutes each). Groups consist of 10-15 participants

BEHAVIORAL

Digital Psychoeducation Newsletters

Weekly newsletters pushed via WeChat containing psychoeducation on consequences of internet use and general advice for reducing screen time.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-17
Primary Completion
2027-06-30
Completion
2028-06-30

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07434778 on ClinicalTrials.gov