Interventions for Smartphone Addiction

(PSU Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

48 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project proposes to evaluate the feasibility and effects of behavioral intervention strategies on problematic smartphone use among college students. The project proposes to evaluate three behavioral intervention components- self-reflection via actively monitoring phone usage, increasing engagement in non-smartphone activities, and contingency management (i.e., financial incentives) - on short-term and long-term reductions in problematic smartphone use (PSU) among college students. The research team will develop a mobile application, referred to as the app, to collect data on a subject's daily phone usage and activity engagement. The app will comprise three features, with specific sets of features being activated during different phases. * Feature 1: The app will autonomously track the time spent on the apps categorized as social media and gaming. * Feature 2: The app will display the daily amount of usage on social media and gaming apps, with an option for a subject to confirm their acknowledgment of the daily time spent. * Feature 3: The app will display an option for subject to confirm their engagement in the alternative activities as planned.

Research Team

Wen Anthony, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rutgers University

Eligibility Criteria

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

I am a Rutgers student aged 18 or older.

Use an Android smartphone

Identified as having problematic smartphone use (scored 31+ on the Smartphone Addiction Scale)

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline

Subjects' daily smartphone usage is tracked for two weeks to establish baseline data

2 weeks

No additional visits

Intervention

Subjects participate in assigned intervention conditions to reduce problematic smartphone use

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for intervention setup

Follow-up

Subjects' daily smartphone usage is tracked for additional two weeks to establish follow-up data

2 weeks

No additional visits

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

Group I: Self-reflection + Contingency management Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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.

Group II: Self-reflection + Alternative activity engagement Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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.

Group III: Self-reflection Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants actively review their smartphone usage data each day, which will be verified by the app.

Group IV: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will not engage in any behavioral intervention strategies

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+