A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention

Abstract Evidence-based online treatments for internet use disorders (IUD) are poorly studied. The online-based, therapist-guided, motivational intervention program for internet use disorder (OMPRIS) has shown significant effects on reducing IUD symptoms, while the symptoms remained high in the wait...

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Main Authors: Jan Dieris-Hirche, Sebastian Nikofor, Magdalena Pape, Laura Bottel, Martin Diers, Bert Theodor te Wildt, Klaus Wölfling, Peter Henningsen, Anja Neumann, Rainer Beckers, Stephan Herpertz, Nina Timmesfeld
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12401-z
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author Jan Dieris-Hirche
Sebastian Nikofor
Magdalena Pape
Laura Bottel
Martin Diers
Bert Theodor te Wildt
Klaus Wölfling
Peter Henningsen
Anja Neumann
Rainer Beckers
Stephan Herpertz
Nina Timmesfeld
author_facet Jan Dieris-Hirche
Sebastian Nikofor
Magdalena Pape
Laura Bottel
Martin Diers
Bert Theodor te Wildt
Klaus Wölfling
Peter Henningsen
Anja Neumann
Rainer Beckers
Stephan Herpertz
Nina Timmesfeld
author_sort Jan Dieris-Hirche
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Evidence-based online treatments for internet use disorders (IUD) are poorly studied. The online-based, therapist-guided, motivational intervention program for internet use disorder (OMPRIS) has shown significant effects on reducing IUD symptoms, while the symptoms remained high in the waiting control group. The current study presents a 2-year follow-up analysis of the IUD symptoms. Participants in the OMPRIS study were followed up 2 years after the intervention. The primary outcome was a reduction in IUD symptoms. Secondary outcomes were time spent on the internet, depression and anxiety symptoms, and general life satisfaction. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were performed to assess the outcomes over time across the intervention and three follow-up measurement, controlling for the covariates age and gender. A total of 116 out of 180 OMPRIS participants (64.4%) were reached for the follow-up survey after 2 years. The LMM showed no significant increase in IUD symptom severity across all three follow-up measurements relative to post treatment measurements. Age and gender had no significant influence in the model. Similar results were found for all secondary outcomes. According to this study, IUD can be effectively treated via webcam and is therefore suitable for patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo face-to-face psychotherapy.
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spelling doaj-art-33973038d96a4f63b6219c0c31e6b2d32025-08-20T03:45:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-12401-zA 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS interventionJan Dieris-Hirche0Sebastian Nikofor1Magdalena Pape2Laura Bottel3Martin Diers4Bert Theodor te Wildt5Klaus Wölfling6Peter Henningsen7Anja Neumann8Rainer Beckers9Stephan Herpertz10Nina Timmesfeld11Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumPsychosomatic Hospital Diessen MonasteryDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Technical University MunichInstitute for Health Care Management and Research, University Duisburg- EssenCompetence Centre of Healthcare TelematicsDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr University BochumDepartment of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University BochumAbstract Evidence-based online treatments for internet use disorders (IUD) are poorly studied. The online-based, therapist-guided, motivational intervention program for internet use disorder (OMPRIS) has shown significant effects on reducing IUD symptoms, while the symptoms remained high in the waiting control group. The current study presents a 2-year follow-up analysis of the IUD symptoms. Participants in the OMPRIS study were followed up 2 years after the intervention. The primary outcome was a reduction in IUD symptoms. Secondary outcomes were time spent on the internet, depression and anxiety symptoms, and general life satisfaction. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were performed to assess the outcomes over time across the intervention and three follow-up measurement, controlling for the covariates age and gender. A total of 116 out of 180 OMPRIS participants (64.4%) were reached for the follow-up survey after 2 years. The LMM showed no significant increase in IUD symptom severity across all three follow-up measurements relative to post treatment measurements. Age and gender had no significant influence in the model. Similar results were found for all secondary outcomes. According to this study, IUD can be effectively treated via webcam and is therefore suitable for patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo face-to-face psychotherapy.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12401-zInternet use disorderGaming disorderOnline therapyTelemedicineLong-term2-year follow-up
spellingShingle Jan Dieris-Hirche
Sebastian Nikofor
Magdalena Pape
Laura Bottel
Martin Diers
Bert Theodor te Wildt
Klaus Wölfling
Peter Henningsen
Anja Neumann
Rainer Beckers
Stephan Herpertz
Nina Timmesfeld
A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
Scientific Reports
Internet use disorder
Gaming disorder
Online therapy
Telemedicine
Long-term
2-year follow-up
title A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
title_full A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
title_fullStr A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
title_full_unstemmed A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
title_short A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
title_sort 2 year follow up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam based telemedicine ompris intervention
topic Internet use disorder
Gaming disorder
Online therapy
Telemedicine
Long-term
2-year follow-up
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12401-z
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