Efficacy of an approach-avoidance-based app training for the prevention of problematic internet use in university students

Efficacy of an approach-avoidance-based app training for the prevention of problematic internet use in university students - PROTECTapp

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00034109

Enrollment

Registered

2024-05-08

Start date

2024-05-10

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Internet Gaming Disorder (DSM-5, research diagnosis), Gaming disorder (F63.8/6C51), Hazardous gaming (QE22), Unspecified internet use disorders (F63.8/6C5Z), Social Media Disorder (F63.8/6C5Y) F63.8

Interventions

Group 1: Students over the age of 18 with problematic internet use (operationalized with a CIUS sum score = 24) will be recruited. Recruitment will take place throughout Germany via e-mail lists of st

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: - Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) sum score = 24; - University enrollment - Owning a Smartphone with internet access and access to Android or Apple app stores - Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: -

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
We plan a randomized controlled trial with n = 92 participants with immediate access to an approach-avoidance-based app training (PROTECTapp) as an intervention group and access to the PROTECTapp after three weeks as a waiting list control group is planned. The aim of the study described here is to investigate the efficacy of the PROTECTapp on problematic internet use and specific symptoms of internet-related behavioral addictions and to identify moderators of change. Therefore, study participants are surveyed repeatedly; more precisely at the beginning of the study ("baseline"), immediately after the end of the intervention or waiting phase ("post-intervention" or "post-waiting") and 3 and 12 weeks after the intervention ("3- and 12-week follow-up"). In addition, study participants complete short weekly surveys during the intervention ("mid-intervention"). Participants in the waiting list control group also receive access to the intervention after the 3-week waiting phase and complete surveys during the intervention as well as immediately, 3 and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. Symptoms of Internet Use Disorder: - Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) - Internet Craving Scale (ICS; modified Gambling Craving Scale, GaCS) => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up	—

Measure

Time frame

We plan a randomized controlled trial with n = 92 participants with immediate access to an approach-avoidance-based app training (PROTECTapp) as an intervention group and access to the PROTECTapp after three weeks as a waiting list control group is planned. The aim of the study described here is to investigate the efficacy of the PROTECTapp on problematic internet use and specific symptoms of internet-related behavioral addictions and to identify moderators of change. Therefore, study participants are surveyed repeatedly; more precisely at the beginning of the study ("baseline"), immediately after the end of the intervention or waiting phase ("post-intervention" or "post-waiting") and 3 and 12 weeks after the intervention ("3- and 12-week follow-up"). In addition, study participants complete short weekly surveys during the intervention ("mid-intervention"). Participants in the waiting list control group also receive access to the intervention after the 3-week waiting phase and complete surveys during the intervention as well as immediately, 3 and 12 weeks after the end of the intervention. Symptoms of Internet Use Disorder: - Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) - Internet Craving Scale (ICS; modified Gambling Craving Scale, GaCS) => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder/hazardous gaming: - Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS) - Gaming time - Risky behaviours associated with gaming or its context => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Symptoms of Social Media Disorder/hazardous use: - Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS) - Social media time - Risky behaviours associated with social media or its context => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Treatment readiness/eagerness Problematic internet use - Stages of Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (iSOCRATES) => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Internalizing symptoms/well-being: - Patient Health Questionnaire - ultra-brief screening (PHQ-4) - MINI-Social Phobia Inventory (MINI-SPIN) - WHO-5-Fragebogen zum Wohlbefinden (WHO-5) => Baseline, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Process outcomes: - Procrastination Questionnaire for Students - short version (PFS-4) - General Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE) - Study-specific self-efficacy (WIRKSTUD) => Baseline, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Covariates: - Demographics (Baseline) - Medical information (Baseline, Post-waiting, Post-intervention) - Usage of E-Mental-Health (Baseline, Post-waiting, Post-intervention) - Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C; Baseline) - Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST; Baseline) - Lie/Bet Questionnaire (Baseline) - Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ; Baseline, Post-waiting) - Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-I; Post-intervention) App metrics: - Adherence - Reaction times - Accuracy => Continously throughout intervention	—

Measure

Time frame

Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder/hazardous gaming: - Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS) - Gaming time - Risky behaviours associated with gaming or its context => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Symptoms of Social Media Disorder/hazardous use: - Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS) - Social media time - Risky behaviours associated with social media or its context => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Treatment readiness/eagerness Problematic internet use - Stages of Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (iSOCRATES) => Baseline, Mid-intervention, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Internalizing symptoms/well-being: - Patient Health Questionnaire - ultra-brief screening (PHQ-4) - MINI-Social Phobia Inventory (MINI-SPIN) - WHO-5-Fragebogen zum Wohlbefinden (WHO-5) => Baseline, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Process outcomes: - Procrastination Questionnaire for Students - short version (PFS-4) - General Self-Efficacy Scale (SWE) - Study-specific self-efficacy (WIRKSTUD) => Baseline, Post-waiting (only WLCG), Post-intervention, 3-Wochen-Follow up, 12-Wochen-Follow up Covariates: - Demographics (Baseline) - Medical information (Baseline, Post-waiting, Post-intervention) - Usage of E-Mental-Health (Baseline, Post-waiting, Post-intervention) - Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C; Baseline) - Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST; Baseline) - Lie/Bet Questionnaire (Baseline) - Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ; Baseline, Post-waiting) - Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-I; Post-intervention) App metrics: - Adherence - Reaction times - Accuracy => Continously throughout intervention

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactDaniel Huth

Universität Heidelberg, Psychologisches Institut

daniel.huth@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de+49 6221 54 7318

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 9, 2026