Network meta-analysis of the effectiveness of different interventions for internet addiction in college students

Abstract

Background: Internet addiction jeopardizes teenagers' physical and mental health, as well as their academic performance, and causes a variety of cognitive dysfunctions and psychological and mental health illnesses, among other things. It is a huge issue that families, schools, and society must address immediately.

Objectives: This study used network meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of several interventions on college students' Internet addiction. The goal was to identify the most effective interventions and establish a reference for future interventions. We systematically searched relevant literature in domestic and international databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Pro Quest, China Knowledge, Wan fang, Wipo, etc. We assessed the risk of bias according to the revised Cochrane Randomized Trials Risk of Bias Tool (RoB2) and used R Studio Software and Stata 14.0 for traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. A network meta-analysis based on the IAT scale showed that comprehensive interventions had the highest probability of being the best intervention for IA (SUCRA = 90.6 % based on IAT); focused solution short-term therapy had the highest probability of being the best intervention for IA based on the CIAS-R (19 White Feather) scale (SUCRA = 100 %).

Conclusions: The majority of interventions have a significant influence on the treatment of IA, and improvements in Internet addiction symptoms are more noticeable when a combination of interventions is used rather than just one.

Keywords: College students; Different interventions; Internet addiction; Intervention effect; Network meta-analysis.