EEG Components of Inhibitory Control Ability in Internet Gaming Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

Abstract

Inhibitory control ability is a crucial cognitive function that enables individuals to regulate their impulses and behaviors in a goal-directed manner. However, with the increasing prevalence of Internet gaming disorder, there has been growing concern about the impact of excessive gaming on inhibitory control ability. Despite the accumulating evidence on this topic, the research conclusion on whether people with Internet gaming disorder have worse inhibition control ability than healthy controls remains inconsistent, and the lack of effective EEG prediction indicators further complicates this issue.

To address this research gap, the present study aimed to investigate whether N2 ERP and P3 ERP components could serve as reliable indicators of inhibitory control ability in individuals with Internet gaming disorder.

To achieve this goal, a systematic literature search was conducted in several databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect (EBSCO), SpringerLink, Pubmed, and Wiley Online Library. The inclusion criteria were strictly implemented to ensure the quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis. In the end, a total of 5 studies, with 139 participants diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder and 139 healthy controls, were included in the analysis.

Meta-analysis revealed large effect sizes of N2 and P3 amplitudes in individuals with Internet gaming disorder, indicating that these two ERP components could be potential indicators of inhibitory control ability. Specifically, the N2 and P3 amplitude was significantly larger in individuals with Internet gaming disorder than in the healthy controls group, suggesting that deficits in inhibitory control function and increased impulsivity in the IGD group. In the inhibition control task, the IGD group required more cognitive resources to suppress impulsive responses.

Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis shed light on the potential use of N2 and P3 amplitudes as reliable indicators of inhibitory control ability in individuals with Internet gaming disorder. The results provide crucial insights into the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control impairment in Internet gaming disorder, which could inform the development of effective interventions for this condition. Further research is needed to explore the functional significance of these ERP components and their potential clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of Internet gaming disorder.