Clinical Research of Electro-acupuncture Combined Psychological Intervention on Internet Addiction Disorder

Clinical Research of Electro-acupuncture Combined Psychological Intervention on Internet Addiction Disorder

this research adopted multicentered, randomly and parallel control methods to observe the clinical effects of electro-acupuncture combined psychological intervention on internet addiction disorder, aim to provide a convenient, affordable and effective clinical protocol.

This research was aimed to discuss the impact of acupuncture treatment on the impulsive behavior of Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) sufferers, with the detection of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), the assessment of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) and Go/No-go task, hopefully that this research could provide basis for the further study as well as the establishment of comprehensive assessment and treatment protocol of IAD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects manifested three or more among the seven following conditions within one year could be defined as internet addiction:
• (1) Tolerance, complied with either one: ①Satisfaction obtaining through markedly increasing time online ②Spending same period of time online but with dramatic declining satisfaction.
• (2) Any following symptoms appeared after quitting internet surfing: ①Obvious withdrawal syndrome: A-- Quitted or decreased long time internet surfing. B--Within one month after A, two or more following symptoms appeared: (a) Depressed. (b) Psychomotor fidgety. (c) Compulsively thought things happened online. (d) Hallucinated or dreamed about internet related stuff. (e) Consciously or unconsciously carried out tapping the keyboard movement. C--The symptoms in B led to unexpected damage to one's social life, work and other important aspects of life, even depression. ②Desperate to surf the internet or seek similar online service in a bid to relieve or avoid withdrawal syndrome.
• (3) More frequent online behaviors or longer online time than planned.
• (4) Had been trying hard to reduce or control internet use but never succeeded.
• (5) Spent large amount of time on internet related things, such as purchasing online books, trying out new browsers, organizing downloaded files, etc.
• (6) Giving up or reducing important social, work or entertainment activities.
• (7) Despite unfavorable physical, mental, social or work consequences, continued to use internet.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other psychiatric disease history.
• Drug addiction history
• Severe cardiovascular disease, blood diseases, malignant tumors or any other contraindication of electro-acupuncture.
• Allergic to acupuncture treatment.
• Participants with intracranial diseases or abnormal scalp structure.
• Participants with metal implant.
• Color blindness, left handedness.
• Women in gestation or lactation period.