Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41088106›Full record

Trial reportBMC psychiatry2025

Effects of progressive aerobic training on neural synchrony and functional connectivity in internet gaming disorder: a randomized controlled fMRI study.

Qinxuan Li, Xin Luo, Meiting Wei, Shaoyu Cui, Shenji Yang, Yandan Li, Shunchao He, Guang-Heng Dong

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Qinxuan Li *Department of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Xin Luo *Department of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Meiting WeiDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Shaoyu CuiDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Shenji YangDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Yandan LiDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Shunchao HeDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China.
Guang-Heng DongDepartment of Psychology, Yunnan Normal University, 1 Lianda Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650500, P. R. China. dongguangheng@ynnu.edu.cn.

Funding

The current research was supported by Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology Basic Research Project 202405AC350075; 202501AS070042
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInternet gaming disorder (IGD) has gained increasing attention due to its rising global prevalence, with significant negative impacts on mental health, academic performance, and social functioning. Aerobic exercise, due to its low cost and high adherence, has emerged as a potential intervention. This study aimed to examine the behavioral and neural effects of a moderate-intensity, progressive aerobic exercise program in individuals with IGD.

methodsEighty college students with IGD were randomly assigned to a progressive aerobic training group (PAT) or a free training group (FT), with 64 completing the study. The PAT group engaged in 20 supervised treadmill sessions over six weeks, with intensity progressively increasing from 46 to 55% VO₂max. The FT group exercised freely without restrictions. Behavioral assessments (IAT, DSM-5 IGD scale, QGU) and fMRI scans were conducted before and after the intervention. Neural synchrony was assessed using intersubject correlation (ISC) analysis, and seed-based connectivity (SBC) analysis was performed to examine changes in functional connectivity of addiction-related brain regions.

resultsThe PAT group showed significant reductions in IAT and DSM-5 scores, with a notable group × time interaction for IAT. fMRI results revealed increased ISC in the left postcentral gyrus and decreased ISC in the left caudate and right precentral gyrus. Caudate ISC changes correlated with IAT improvements. SBC analysis showed reduced connectivity between the left caudate and right prefrontal cortex in the PAT group.

conclusionsProgressive moderate aerobic exercise reduced IGD symptoms and craving, alongside altered neural synchrony and connectivity in reward and control networks. Caudate-related markers may serve as potential targets for intervention. Future studies should adopt larger, longitudinal designs.

Indexed as

BrainExerciseExercise TherapyInternet Addiction DisorderVideo GamesAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleYoung AdultAerobic exerciseCraving reductionExecutive control networkFMRIInternet gaming disorderReward system

Identifiers

PMID41088106
PMCPMC12522606

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.