Pathological Use of Internet GamesStimNETNCT04120714
Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients Suffering From Pathological Use of Internet Gaming
A study testing Active tDCS and Questionnaires in people with Pathological Use of Internet Games, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
The Internet has grown considerably in the last twenty years, and as a result, cases of excessive iinterney use have emerged. These cases, which have clinical similarities with substance addiction, involve the various activities related to the Internet (online gambling, discussion forums, online networking, e-mail… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Pathological Use of Internet Games
- What is being tested?
- Active tDCS and Questionnaires
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 6 Jan 2020to Nov 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patient aged ≥ 12 years old
- Patient and/or parents who have given oral consent
- Patient with PUIG (DSM-5 criteria)
- Patient that is motivated and willing to reduce or stop internet gaming
Who cannot join
- a person who is not affiliated to or not a beneficiary of a social security scheme
- Patient with severe chronic psychiatric comorbidity (schizophrenia, paranoia, chronic hallucinatory psychosis) and bipolar disorder types I and II
- Patient with a gambling addiction
- Patient who has had a recent change (< 1 month) in the prescription of psychotropic treatment
- Patient with an addiction to a psychoactive substance other than tobacco
- Patient receiving psychiatric care without consent or legal protection (guardianship, curatorship)
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- Minor patient without parental consent for care
- Patient with severe heart, kidney, liver or lung failure
- Patient with a contraindication to the practice of tDCS: metal parts, medical devices implanted in the brain
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding in progress (negative pregnancy test)
- Patient unable to commit to a three-month follow-up
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
CHU de DIJON
Dijon, 21079
Benoît TROJAK, 3 80 29 37 69 ext. +33, benoit.trojak@chu-dijon.fr
Benoît TROJAK
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients Suffering From Pathological Use of Internet Gaming : Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind, Monocentric Pilot Study
The Internet has grown considerably in the last twenty years, and as a result, cases of excessive iinterney use have emerged. These cases, which have clinical similarities with substance addiction, involve the various activities related to the Internet (online gambling, discussion forums, online networking, e-mail, pornography, shopping, etc.). However, to date, only the pathological use of Internet gaming (PUIG) is referenced in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, section III).
In PUIG, an individual loses control when gambling online. He/she typically spends 8 to 10 hours on this activity, sometimes without eating or sleeping. Usual obligations, such as school or work, or family obligations are neglected. PUIG can cause great psychological and social suffering. Neurological complications (epilepsy) and deaths (cardiac arrest) related to PUIG have also been reported. These situations are all the more dramatic because they often affect adolescents and young adults. In Asia, PUIG has become a public health problem. To date, no treatment has been validated for this disorder.
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques can modulate neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This modulation makes it possible to reduce addictive behaviours through different mechanisms (reduction of craving, impulsivity, and decision-making disorders). These techniques could be effective for PUIG.
- Conditions
- Pathological Use of Internet Games
- Being tested
- Active tDCS, Placebo tDCS, Questionnaires
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active tDCSDevice
active D.C. transcranial stimulation (delivers a low current (1 to 2 mA)) for 10 to 30 minutes, during 5 sessions
Placebo tDCSDevice
inactive DC transcranial stimulation (delivering a non-significant current at the beginning and end of the stimulation, simulating active stimulation) for 10 to 30 minutes, during 5 sessions
QuestionnairesOther
- visual analogue scale (VAS)
- impulsivity scale: Barratt Impulsiveness Scale - version 11 (BIS-11)
- Decision-making scales: Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART)
- Go-No go test
- HAM-D scale
- SF-12 quality of life scale
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS group | Experimental | Active tDCS Receives: Device: Active tDCS; Other: Questionnaires |
| Placebo tDCS group | Placebo comparator | Inactive tDCS Receives: Device: Placebo tDCS; Other: Questionnaires |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evolution of scores on the IAT scale (Internet Addiction Test)
Evolution of scores on the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) scale 4 weeks after treatment with tDCS (5 sessions) compared to the 4 weeks preceding brain stimulation
Measured: 4 weeks after tDCS treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Oct 2019
- Study start6 Jan 2020
- Primary completionNov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pathological Use of Internet GamesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire DijonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04120714
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TROJAK 2019
- Acronym
- StimNET
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Oct 2019
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients Suffering From Pathological Use of Internet Gaming : Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind, Monocentric Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04120714
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- StimNET / TROJAK 2019
- Conditions
- Pathological Use of Internet Games
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire DijonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 Jan 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Oct 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The Internet has grown considerably in the last twenty years, and as a result, cases of excessive iinterney use have emerged. These cases, which have clinical similarities with substance addiction, involve the various activities related to the Internet (online gambling, discussion forums, online networking, e-mail, pornography, shopping, etc.). However, to date, only the pathological use of Internet gaming (PUIG) is referenced in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, section III).
In PUIG, an individual loses control when gambling online. He/she typically spends 8 to 10 hours on this activity, sometimes without eating or sleeping. Usual obligations, such as school or work, or family obligations are neglected. PUIG can cause great psychological and social suffering. Neurological complications (epilepsy) and deaths (cardiac arrest) related to PUIG have also been reported. These situations are all the more dramatic because they often affect adolescents and young adults. In Asia, PUIG has become a public health problem. To date, no treatment has been validated for this disorder.
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques can modulate neural activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This modulation makes it possible to reduce addictive behaviours through different mechanisms (reduction of craving, impulsivity, and decision-making disorders). These techniques could be effective for PUIG.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCS group | Experimental | Device: Active tDCS, Other: QuestionnairesActive tDCS |
| Placebo tDCS group | Placebo comparator | Device: Placebo tDCS, Other: QuestionnairesInactive tDCS |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patient aged ≥ 12 years old
- Patient and/or parents who have given oral consent
- Patient with PUIG (DSM-5 criteria)
- Patient that is motivated and willing to reduce or stop internet gaming
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- a person who is not affiliated to or not a beneficiary of a social security scheme
- Patient with severe chronic psychiatric comorbidity (schizophrenia, paranoia, chronic hallucinatory psychosis) and bipolar disorder types I and II
- Patient with a gambling addiction
- Patient who has had a recent change (< 1 month) in the prescription of psychotropic treatment
- Patient with an addiction to a psychoactive substance other than tobacco
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCSactive D.C. transcranial stimulation (delivers a low current (1 to 2 mA)) for 10 to 30 minutes, during 5 sessions | Device | Active tDCS group |
| Placebo tDCSinactive DC transcranial stimulation (delivering a non-significant current at the beginning and end of the stimulation, simulating active stimulation) for 10 to 30 minutes, during 5 sessions | Device | Placebo tDCS group |
| Questionnaires* visual analogue scale (VAS) * impulsivity scale: Barratt Impulsiveness Scale - version 11 (BIS-11) * Decision-making scales: Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) * Go-No go test * HAM-D scale * SF-12 quality of life scale | Other | Active tDCS group, Placebo tDCS group |
Primary outcome
Evolution of scores on the IAT scale (Internet Addiction Test)
Time frame: 4 weeks after tDCS treatment
Evolution of scores on the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) scale 4 weeks after treatment with tDCS (5 sessions) compared to the 4 weeks preceding brain stimulation
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Apr 2026.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active tDCS and Questionnaires in people with Pathological Use of Internet Games, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Benoît TROJAK (03.80.29.37.69 ext. +33, benoit.trojak@chu-dijon.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evolution of scores on the IAT scale (Internet Addiction Test) (time frame: 4 weeks after tDCS treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.