Mindfulness meditation training reduces gaming cravings by reshaping the functional connectivity between default mode network and executive control-related brain regions.

BACKGROUND: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) can lead to psychological problems and cause behavioral problems in individuals. Traditional interventions have been ineffective in treating IGDs. Meanwhile, mindfulness meditation (MM) is an emerging method that has proven to be effective for treating psychiatry disorders. In this study, MM was used to intervene in IGD and to explore its neural mechanism.

METHODS: Eighty participants were recruited through advertisements. Eventually, 61 completed the one-month training (MM/progressive muscle relaxation: 31/30), including a pre-test, eight training sessions, and a post-test. Regional homogeneity and degree centrality were calculated and the tests (pre- and post-) and group (MM and PMR) ANOVA was performed. The overlapping results were obtained as ROI for functional connectivity (FC) analyses. Behavioral data and neurotransmitters correlated with FC.

RESULTS: Compared to PMR, MM decreased the severity of addiction and game craving in IGD. Brain imaging results showed that the FC between and within the executive control and default mode networks (DMN)/reward-related regions were enhanced. Significant negative correlations were observed between the FC and dopamine receptors D2, dopamine transporter (DAT), and acetylcholine receptors VAChT. Significant positive correlations were observed between FCs and serotonin and aminobutyric acid receptors.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the effectiveness of MM in treating IGD. MM altered the default mode and enhanced the top-down control over game cravings. These findings were revealed by the correlations between brain regions and behavioral and bio-chemical effects. The results showed the neural mechanism of MM in reducing IGD and lay the foundation for future research.