What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a retrieval-aversive conditioning protocol in reducing cravings and addiction symptoms in individuals with internet gaming disorder.

July 5, 2026Communications MedicineOpen Access

A memory retrieval-aversive conditioning procedure durably reduces gaming craving and fronto-insular activation in internet gaming disorder: a randomized controlled trial

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Authors

SLShuang LiYunnan Normal University MLM S LiSouth China University of Technology XXX XuZhejiang International Studies University

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates reduced gaming cravings and alters brain activity in individuals with IGD, implying a potential treatment approach.

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a retrieval-aversive conditioning protocol in reducing cravings and addiction symptoms in individuals with internet gaming disorder.
Conducted as a single-center randomized controlled trial with 62 participants diagnosed with internet gaming disorder.
Participants were assigned to either a retrieval-aversive conditioning group or a control group, undergoing five days of training.
Neuroimaging using task-based fMRI was employed to measure changes in brain activation following the intervention.
The R-AC group showed decreased activation in the left insula and middle frontal gyrus and increased activation in the left postcentral gyrus post-intervention.
Significant reductions in addiction severity scores and self-reported craving were observed in the R-AC group.
Changes in frontal activation were negatively correlated with reductions in addiction severity, indicating an association between brain activity and craving.

Cite This Study

Li et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a49f591f5d1d45b2880069c https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-026-01705-4

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates reduced gaming cravings and alters brain activity in individuals with IGD, implying a potential treatment approach.

A memory retrieval-aversive conditioning procedure durably reduces gaming craving and fronto-insular activation in internet gaming disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

A memory retrieval-aversive conditioning procedure durably reduces gaming craving and fronto-insular activation in internet gaming disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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