The Role of Sleep in Reducing Severe Symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is characterized by persistent or recurrent gaming behavior that takes priority over other important activities, causing significant distress or impairment in daily life. According to the World Health Organization, IGD includes patterns of gaming that interfere with an individual's social, educational, or occupational functioning.

Treatment centers across the globe report increasing numbers of young people seeking help for IGD, often presenting issues like family conflicts, social isolation, and disruptions in daily routines. IGD is frequently associated with executive dysfunction — a collection of cognitive and behavioral impairments affecting a person's ability to regulate thoughts, emotions, and actions. Such impairments during childhood and adolescence can have long-lasting impacts on academic achievement, social relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life.

Recent research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research highlights the significance of sleep quality in teens with IGD. The study, led by Michoel Moshel, explores how sleep influences attention and impulse control, core aspects of executive function. The findings reveal that poor sleep partially explains how IGD contributes to executive dysfunction. Interestingly, the research also shows a bidirectional relationship: not only can IGD lead to poor sleep and subsequent executive problems, but pre-existing executive dysfunction may also disrupt sleep, which then exacerbates gaming issues.

When teens maintain good sleep hygiene, the connection between IGD and executive difficulties diminishes. Conversely, when sleep is average or poor, the link between gaming disorder and cognitive impairments becomes more pronounced. This emphasizes the vital role sleep plays in mental health and behavioral regulation.

Other studies indicate that heavy gaming, especially exceeding six hours per day, correlates with poorer sleep quality, increased sleep deprivation, and heightened daytime sleepiness. The displacement hypothesis suggests that excessive screen time can replace time for restorative sleep, further aggravating attention and mood problems.

To address these issues, clinicians recommend including sleep assessments in the management of IGD. Interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, sleep hygiene education, and relaxation techniques can help improve sleep quality. Structuring routines by reducing screen exposure before bed, maintaining consistent sleep schedules, and promoting physical activity are practical approaches that can prevent or mitigate IGD symptoms.

Ensuring adequate and restful sleep in adolescents not only supports healthy brain development but also reduces the risk of developing or worsening IGD and associated executive dysfunction. Encouraging lifestyle habits that promote better sleep can serve as both preventive and therapeutic measures in managing problematic gaming behaviors.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-mitigate-worst-symptoms-internet-gaming.html