Recruiting

Low-intensity Chatbot Intervention for Reducing Digital Addictions in Adolescents

Study Aim

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-intensity chatbot intervention in reducing internet gaming disorder and social media addiction in adolescents, using a composite score based on standardized scores of both disorders.

What is being tested

Chatbot

+ Control

Behavioral

Who is being recruted

Internet Addiction Disorder+4

+ Technology Addiction

+ Behavior

From 10 to 19 Years

+5 Eligibility Criteria

See all eligibility criteria

How is the trial designed

Supportive Care Study

Placebo-Controlled

Interventional

Study Start: September 2024

See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong

Study ContactXue Yang, Doctoral

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: September 1, 2024

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study is focused on helping adolescents aged 10-19 who spend too much time on screens, especially those with Internet gaming disorder or social media addiction. It aims to test a new approach using a chatbot that supports behavioral change and motivation to lessen these digital addictions. The study's importance lies in addressing digital addiction, which is increasingly common and can lead to other issues like mental distress and a sedentary lifestyle. By successfully reducing these addiction rates, the study hopes to improve the overall well-being and quality of life for these young individuals. Participants in the study are randomly divided into two groups: one receives a brief online intervention with a chatbot, while the other gets psycho-educational support. Throughout the study, they complete questionnaires that measure various outcomes, including their levels of digital addiction, sedentary behavior, mental health, and overall quality of life. The study also looks at how factors like autonomy and competence influence these outcomes. By comparing the results before and after the program, and again after three months, the research evaluates the chatbot's effectiveness in making a positive change.

Official TitleDeveloping and Evaluating a Low-intensity Secondary Theory-based Chatbot Intervention to Reduce Common Digital Addictions, Sedentary Behaviors and Mental Distress Among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT06821373

Principal SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong

Study ContactXue Yang, Doctoral

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

330 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Supportive Care Study

These studies explore ways to improve comfort and daily life for people living with a condition. They may focus on easing symptoms, reducing treatment side effects, or supporting overall well-being.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Conditions

Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 10 to 19 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Internet Addiction DisorderTechnology AddictionBehaviorCompulsive BehaviorImpulsive BehaviorBehavior, AddictiveSedentary Behavior

Criteria

4 inclusion criteria required to participate

Positive screening results of IGD and/or SMA) based on the validated screening tools

Chinese speaking

Students at grades 5-6 in primary schools or grades 7-12 in secondary schools

Using smartphone or Internet on a daily base, 4) students' and parental consent

1 exclusion criteria prevent from participating

Current use of any psychotropic medication

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.

Treatment Groups

Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

50% chance of being blinded to the placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental

Participants interact with a chatbot that provides personalized advice and feedback based on their responses to questions about their readiness to change. This interaction takes about 1 hour in total, divided into five modules of 10-15 minutes each.

Group II

Sham

Participants receive educational materials about excessive digital use, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), and Social Media Addiction (SMA). They won't receive the standard care (SoC) or Motivational Interviewing (MI)-based interventions.

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Recruiting

JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong KongOpen JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong in Google Maps

Recruiting

One Study Center