Treatment of gaming disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Meta-analytic review of gaming disorder (GD) treatment studies with focus on comorbidity. • 21 studies (N=1,360 cases) with GD assessment and control groups were assessed. • Treatments had large reductions in GD symptoms, irrespective of comorbidity. • Moderate effects of GD treatment on depression and anxiety. • There is a need for larger, longer-term trials to determine optimal treatment. Treatment for gaming disorder (GD) can be challenging due to comorbidities. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of interventions for GD, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacological, and other approaches (e.g., family therapy, mindfulness-based therapy), and extends past reviews by evaluating GD-specific trials and the role of comorbidity. A pre-registered systematic review identified controlled trials of GD interventions published between 2007 and 2025. Eligible studies ( n =21) used validated GD assessments, included control groups, and reported effect sizes at post-intervention and/or follow-up. The primary outcome was GD symptoms; secondary outcomes included gaming time, depression, and anxiety. Random-effects meta-analyses calculated pooled effect sizes (Hedges’ g ), with mixed-effects subgroup analyses by comorbidity, intervention type, age, gender, and region. Across 1,360 participants, interventions significantly reduced GD symptoms ( g =1.38, p <.001) and gaming time ( g =0.90, p =.002), with moderate reductions in depression ( g =0.65, p =.001) and anxiety ( g =0.66, p =.001) at post-intervention. Effects were sustained at 90-day follow-up for GD symptoms ( g =1.15, p <.001) and gaming time ( g =0.79, p =.025). CBT and other interventions demonstrated comparable efficacy. Comorbidity did not moderate outcomes. Adolescents displayed larger treatment effects than adults. Heterogeneity between studies was generally high (i.e., I 2 >50%). The GD treatment literature has methodological limitations including inconsistent diagnostic approaches, relatively short follow-ups, and high between-studies heterogeneity. Current evidence suggests treatment can effectively reduce symptoms and gaming time, with sustained benefits at follow-up, regardless of comorbidity. High heterogeneity suggests larger, longer-term trials are needed. Pharmacological interventions require further study, alone or combined with psychological therapies.