Group gaming program for people with hazardous gaming behavior

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Group Gaming Interventions for Individuals With Problematic Gaming Behavior and Gaming Disorder.

NA · Shanghai Mental Health Center · NCT07363850

This study tries a series of group game activities to help students with hazardous gaming behaviors see if their gaming-related problems improve.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorShanghai Mental Health Center (other)
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT07363850 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, parallel-group trial assigns participants to either a group gaming intervention or a control group in a two-arm design. The intervention group takes part in a series of guided, game-based activities delivered in group sessions, while the control group does not receive the group gaming intervention. Recruitment is done through schools with online screening, parental briefings, and informed consent, and participants undergo assessments before the intervention, immediately after, and at a three-month follow-up. The protocol excludes people with serious physical illness, intellectual disability, or a formal clinical diagnosis of gaming disorder and requires completion of all intervention sessions and assessments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are students who meet ICD-11 criteria for hazardous gaming, can understand the procedures, and provide informed consent with parental permission.

Not a fit: People with a formal clinical diagnosis of gaming disorder, serious physical illness, intellectual disability, or those who do not complete the sessions or assessments are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce hazardous gaming behaviors and improve social and behavioral functioning in participating students.

How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies of gamified and group-based behavioral interventions for problematic gaming have shown mixed but sometimes promising results, while this specific group gaming program is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) Clinical diagnosis of hazardous gaming defined in the ICD-11 (2) Fully comprehending the research's purpose and procedures and signing the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1)Serious physical illness or intellectual disability (2) Clinical diagnosis of gaming disorder (3) Not completing all the interventions or assessments

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Gaming Disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.