Interventions for Smartphone Addiction
(PSU Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if specific strategies can reduce problematic smartphone use among college students. It will test three approaches: self-reflection on phone use, engaging in non-smartphone activities (alternative activity engagement), and offering financial rewards for reducing phone time (contingency management). An app will track participants' social media and gaming usage and encourage engagement in other activities. Ideal candidates are Rutgers students who use an Android smartphone and have been identified as having problematic smartphone use. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to innovative research that may enhance digital well-being for college students.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this app is safe for college students?
Research shows that the treatments studied for smartphone addiction are safe for participants. These treatments mainly involve changing behaviors, such as reflecting on smartphone use and engaging in alternative activities. They are low-risk because they do not involve drugs or medical procedures.
For the self-reflection method, past studies indicate that contemplating one's behavior can reduce excessive smartphone use without causing harm.
When self-reflection is combined with other activities, studies suggest this combination can be beneficial. People often feel better when they replace screen time with physical or social activities.
In the case of self-reflection combined with rewards, such as small financial incentives, research shows this approach effectively motivates people to reduce smartphone use. This method is generally well-tolerated and safe, as it employs positive rewards instead of penalties or strict rules.
Overall, these treatments are non-invasive and focus on encouraging healthier habits, making them safe options for those interested in participating in the clinical trial.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about these interventions for smartphone addiction because they focus on self-reflection coupled with engaging strategies rather than relying on restrictive apps or digital detoxes. The combination of self-reflection with contingency management is unique, as it offers immediate incentives for meeting usage goals, potentially increasing motivation and accountability. Another innovative approach is pairing self-reflection with alternative activity engagement, encouraging individuals to replace smartphone time with more fulfilling activities they've personally selected. These methods aim to empower individuals by promoting self-awareness and positive behavior changes, offering promising alternatives to traditional approaches.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing problematic smartphone use?
Research has shown that considering phone usage can help reduce it. In this trial, one group of participants will engage in self-reflection by actively reviewing their smartphone usage each day. Another group will combine self-reflection with alternative activities, such as exercising instead of using their phone, which has been shown to reduce signs of phone addiction. A third group will participate in self-reflection combined with contingency management, receiving rewards for meeting phone usage reduction goals. This approach has successfully encouraged habit changes in various situations.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Wen Anthony, PhD
Principal Investigator
Rutgers University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for Rutgers students aged 18 or older who use an Android smartphone and score over 31 on the Smartphone Addiction Scale, indicating problematic usage.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline
Subjects' daily smartphone usage is tracked for two weeks to establish baseline data
Intervention
Subjects participate in assigned intervention conditions to reduce problematic smartphone use
Follow-up
Subjects' daily smartphone usage is tracked for additional two weeks to establish follow-up data
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Self-reflection
- Self-reflection + Alternative activity engagement
- Self-reflection + Contingency management
Trial Overview
The study tests three strategies to reduce excessive smartphone use: monitoring phone usage (self-reflection), promoting non-phone activities, and offering financial rewards (contingency management) for reduced phone use.
How Is the Trial Designed?
4
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants will actively review their smartphone usage each day, which will be verified via the app. If the participant meets their daily PSU reduction goal, they will receive an incentive ($8); if they do not meet their goal, they will receive nothing.
Participants actively review their smartphone usage and engage in alternative activities which are identified by the participants, which will be recorded and verified via the app.
Participants actively review their smartphone usage data each day, which will be verified by the app.
Participants will not engage in any behavioral intervention strategies
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor
Citations
A Mobile Intervention for Self-Efficacious and Goal ...
Empirical evidence shows that daily smartphone time-outs can indeed lead to decreases of smartphone use [13]; however, there are mixed findings regarding the ...
The correlation between mindfulness and problematic ...
This meta-analysis demonstrates that mindfulness significantly reduced problematic smartphone use.
Can reflecting on smartphone screen time legitimacy ...
Based on the introjected regulation perspective, this study developed a reflection intervention on smartphone screen time legitimacy, prompting college students ...
The mere presence of a smartphone reduces basal ...
The results of the conducted experiment imply that the mere presence of a smartphone results in lower cognitive performance, which supports the ...
The Psychopathology of Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU)
While smartphones offer numerous benefits, excessive use can contribute to cognitive overload, emotional distress, and behavioral addiction.
Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and ...
Our review indicates that approximately 1 in 4 CYP are demonstrating problematic smartphone use, a pattern of behaviour that mirrors that of a ...
Cell Phone/Smartphone Addiction Statistics
Global statistics on smartphone addiction reveal alarming trends regarding device usage and its psychological impact. Approximately 3.8 ...
The effects of smartphone addiction on learning: A meta- ...
However, there were statistically significant effects regardless of smartphone constructs. Smartphone dependency (r = −0.07), smartphone addiction/problematic ...
Problematic smartphone use
Commonly known as "smartphone addiction", the term "problematic smartphone use" was proposed by researchers to describe similar behaviors presenting without ...
Cell Phone/Smartphone Addiction Statistics
Smartphone addiction can lead to a range of psychological issues. Studies indicate that users who spend excessive time on their devices often report heightened ...
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