Mobile-based approach bias modification versus pseudomodification for the reduction of problematic internet use: A randomized controlled pilot study

Mobile-based approach bias modification versus pseudomodification for the reduction of problematic internet use: A randomized controlled pilot study - PROTECTapp

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00039535

Enrollment

Registered

2026-04-28

Start date

2026-05-12

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

F63.8

Interventions

Group 1: Intervention: Mobile-based Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) training to modify internet-related approach bias - Web-based implementation in the browser of the participant's own smartphone using

three-week training phase with three training notifications per day (semi-randomized prompts) Group 2: Control condition: Structurally identical pseudo-modification - No systematic pairing of stimulus

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

16 Years to 25 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: CIUS sum score = 30 Ownership of a smartphone with internet access Sufficient German language skills

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: None

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) > Measurement at T0, T1, and T2	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Craving Assessment Scale for Behavioral Addictions (CASBAS) Internet-Use Expectancies Scale (IUES) Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (iSOCRATES) Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS-10) Media usage frequencies (Red box/Green box) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) > Measurement at T0, T1, and T2 Exploratory outcomes: Context factors (z.B. social context; Ecological Momentary Assessments) Recognition of AAT stimuli (Memory task, T0-T1) Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-I; T1)	—

Measure

Time frame

Craving Assessment Scale for Behavioral Addictions (CASBAS) Internet-Use Expectancies Scale (IUES) Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (iSOCRATES) Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS-10) Media usage frequencies (Red box/Green box) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) > Measurement at T0, T1, and T2 Exploratory outcomes: Context factors (z.B. social context; Ecological Momentary Assessments) Recognition of AAT stimuli (Memory task, T0-T1) Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-I; T1)

—

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 10, 2026