About one-third of individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), a condition marked by excessive and uncontrollable video game playing, also experience depression. For many, gaming becomes the primary source of pleasure amid feelings of emptiness or distress.
The Study Design
Researchers led by Guang-Heng Dong conducted a study involving 59 people diagnosed with both depression and IGD. Participants were divided into two groups: 27 took part in progressive muscle relaxation exercises, while 32 underwent mindfulness meditation training designed specifically to address addiction.
Mindfulness Meditation Approach
The mindfulness meditation program lasted four weeks, with two sessions per week, each lasting between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Participants learned to observe their cravings as transient waves—experiencing them fully without immediately acting on them.
Key Findings
- Those practicing mindfulness meditation showed a notable reduction in depressive symptoms.
- Scores on the Internet Addiction Test decreased significantly among meditators.
- Cravings for video games diminished substantially with meditation training.
- The group practicing progressive muscle relaxation saw fewer improvements in these areas.
Brain Imaging Insights
Brain scans revealed reduced responses to gaming cues and increased activity in the lentiform nucleus—a brain area associated with pleasure processing—among the meditation group. This may indicate a reversal of anhedonia, a key feature of depression involving the loss of pleasure.
Implications for Treatment
According to the researchers, mindfulness meditation offers a promising, non-pharmacological approach to treating both IGD and depression when they occur together, potentially improving mental health outcomes for affected individuals.
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