How video games affect sleep in adult gamers without gaming disorder

Assessment and Characterization of Sleep Among Video Game Adult Players Without Video Game Use Disorder : a Feasability Study

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon · NCT07411404

This project will try methods to measure how playing video games affects sleep in adults who play regularly and in people who rarely play.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon Academic / other
Locations1 site (Besançon)
Trial IDNCT07411404 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This feasibility project enrolls adults aged 18–40 who are regular gamers or occasional/non-players to test a protocol for measuring sleep after gaming. Participants will wear actigraphy devices and provide melatonin samples while researchers record gaming habits and adherence to measurement procedures. The primary goals are to identify barriers and facilitators for recruitment, sample collection, and participant adherence to objective sleep measures. Results will be used to refine the protocol for a larger future study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 18–40 who either play video games at least three times per week for the past two years (regular gamers) or are non-players/occasional players, and who can provide informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Not a fit: People who work nights, are being treated for sleep disorders or using medications/supplements that affect melatonin, have neurological or psychiatric disorders, or have major addictions are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable larger studies that produce clearer guidance on how gaming habits affect sleep and inform strategies to protect sleep in adult gamers.

How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have used actigraphy and melatonin measures to link evening screen use with altered sleep timing, but feasibility of a combined, clinic-based protocol in adult gamers has not been well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women and men aged 18 to 40
* Signed informed consent form
* For regular gamers: playing video games at least 3 times a week in the past 2 years, with IGDT-10 (Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test) \> 5
* For control group: non-player or occasional player (at least once in the previous year, but less than once a month)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Night worker
* WIth treatment for sleep disorder or interfering with melatonin secretion (betablokers, melatonin supplements,some antidepressants)
* Any pathology leading to circadian rythm disorder, neurological or psychiatric disorder
* major addiction (any game or gambling disorder) except for coffee and tabacco

Where this trial is running

Besançon

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.
Conditions SleepVideo Gamers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.