Efficacy of short-term telemedicine motivation-based intervention for individuals with Internet Use Disorder – A pilot-study

BACKGROUND: Internet Use Disorders (IUD) cover a range of online-related behavioral addictions, which are acknowledged and strengthened by the inclusion of (online) gaming disorder in the ICD-11 by the World Health Organization. Internet-based telemedicine interventions offer the possibility to reach out for individuals with IUD where the disorder emerges, in order to enhance their motivation to change their Internet use behavior. METHODS: In the course of the short-term telemedicine motivation-based intervention, adult participants took part in two webcam-based counselling sessions based on Motivational Interviewing techniques. Two weeks after the first webcam-based counselling session the second took place. Participants completed questionnaires regarding the motivation to change their Internet use behavior (iSOCRATES) and symptoms of IUD (s-IAT) at three times of measurement: t0 (pre-intervention), t1 (mid-intervention) and t2 (post-intervention). RESULTS: 73 affected individuals (83.6% male, average age 35 years (SD = 12.49) took part in the whole intervention including the questionnaire-based post intervention survey (t2). Over the course of the telemedicine intervention, a significant increase in the motivation to change with regard to the own Internet use behavior as well as a significant reduction in the symptom severity of an IUD and duration of Internet use (reduction of 2 hrs/d) were shown. CONCLUSION: The telemedicine pilot study shows that online-based consultation can be effective and helpful for individuals with IUD. Therefore, such a telemedicine intervention may be a suitable extension to the already existing analogous care system.