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Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)2018; 24(8); 841-849; doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0416

Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies on the Affective Network of Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder.

Abstract: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been suggested to be a mental health disorder. Attachment and emotional status in IGD patients are important for understanding the etiology and progression of IGD because both parameters are considered to be associated with the affective network. Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) have been reported to improve emotional status and attachment in subjects. We hypothesized that EAAT would improve attachment in IGD adolescents with insecure attachment issues and increase functional connectivity (FC) within the affective network. Methods: Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Korean Experiences in Close Relationships Scale Revised version (K-ECRS), the Child Depression Inventory, Young's Internet Addiction Scale, the Korean Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging at baseline at the end of EAAT. Methods: Fifteen IGD adolescents with insecure attachment issues and 15 healthy comparison adolescents with secure attachment agreed to participate in this study. Results: After 7 days of EAAT, K-ECRS avoidance and anxiety scores improved in all adolescents. K-ECRS avoidance scores of the IGD group showed marked improvement compared with those of the healthy group. In all participants, FC from the left amygdala to the left parahippocampal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as from the right amygdala to the left caudate, right claustrum, and left inferior frontal gyrus increased. In IGD adolescents, FC from the left amygdala to the left frontal orbital gyrus, as well as from the right amygdala to the right corpus callosum also increased. Conclusions: These findings suggested that EAAT improves attachment, which could lead to a decrease in the severity of IGD symptoms in IGD patients with insecure attachment issues. In addition, EAAT increases FC within the affective network, which was associated with attachment not only in healthy adolescents but also in adolescents with IGD.
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Publication Date: 2018-04-26 PubMed ID: 29698054DOI: 10.1089/acm.2017.0416Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explored the effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) on the emotional wellbeing of adolescents suffering from Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). The scientists found that EAAT improved attachment issues and increased functional connectivity within the affective network, potentially decreasing the severity of IGD symptoms.

Study Overview and Methodology

  • The research focused on the effects of EAAT on adolescents suffering from IGD, particularly those exhibiting insecure attachment issues.
  • The investigation centered on the hypothesis that EAAT would improve attachment issues in these adolescents and increase functional connectivity within their affective networks.
  • The participating subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Korean Experiences in Close Relationships Scale Revised version (K-ECRS), the Child Depression Inventory, Young’s Internet Addiction Scale, the Korean Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after EAAT.
  • The sample consisted of fifteen adolescents with IGD displaying insecure attachment issues and fifteen healthy comparison adolescents exhibiting secure attachment.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that after seven days of EAAT, K-ECRS avoidance and anxiety scores improved in all adolescents.
  • The IGD group showed a significant improvement in K-ECRS avoidance scores compared to the healthy group.
  • Functional connectivity from the left amygdala to several other brain areas increased in all participants.
  • In IGD adolescents, functional connectivity from the left amygdala to the left frontal orbital gyrus and also from the right amygdala to the right corpus callosum showed an increase.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that EAAT enhances attachment, potentially leading to a decrease in the severity of IGD symptoms in IGD patients with insecure attachment issues.
  • Additionally, EAAT significantly increases functional connectivity within the affective network in both healthy adolescents and those suffering from IGD.
  • These findings suggest that EAAT could serve as an effective therapeutic method for adolescents with IGD, especially those grappling with attachment issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Kang KD, Jung TW, Park IH, Han DH. (2018). Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies on the Affective Network of Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder. J Altern Complement Med, 24(8), 841-849. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0416

Publication

Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7708
NlmUniqueID: 9508124
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 8
Pages: 841-849

Researcher Affiliations

Kang, Kyoung Doo
  • 1 Department of Medicine, Chung Ang University College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.
Jung, Tae Woon
  • 2 Department of Therapeutic Horse Riding, Jeon Ju Ki Jeon College , Jeon Ju, Korea.
Park, In Hui
  • 3 Eoram Middle School , Namyangju-si, Korea.
Han, Doug Hyun
  • 1 Department of Medicine, Chung Ang University College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Addictive / diagnostic imaging
  • Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology
  • Behavior, Addictive / therapy
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Video Games / adverse effects

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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