An integrated yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for managing excessive use of internet among the youth: A case series

Background: Internet addiction is a behavioral problem that is managed by pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods. The nonpharmacological methods focus on enhancing skills for healthy use of technology and promoting mindfulness and mental relaxation. Yoga therapy is an effective tool to reduc...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ashwini Tadpatrikar, Shubham Sharma, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Hemant Bhargav, Nitin Anand, Prashant Mishra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:International Journal of Yoga
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijoy.org.in/article.asp?issn=0973-6131;year=2023;volume=16;issue=1;spage=56;epage=60;aulast=Tadpatrikar
Description
Summary:Background: Internet addiction is a behavioral problem that is managed by pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods. The nonpharmacological methods focus on enhancing skills for healthy use of technology and promoting mindfulness and mental relaxation. Yoga therapy is an effective tool to reduce psychological stress and promote self-regulation and mindfulness. Thus, present work focused on developing an integrated yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention (Y-CBT) for the management of excessive use of technology amongst adolescents and young adult students. Methods: Feasibility of the Y-CBT program was tested by implementing 10 sessions of yoga and 6 sessions of CBT program for 2 weeks by certified Yoga therapist and psychologist, respectively. This was followed by online booster sessions once a week, and post assessments were conducted at 12 weeks. A total of 4 college-going students with the excessive use of technology were recruited from tertiary specialty service for promotion of healthy use of technology. Each participant was assessed using short-version of internet addiction test (s-IAT), Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, Kessler's Psychological distress scale for baseline, and follow-up assessment after completion of the program. Results: The Y-CBT program was found feasible and useful in reducing internet use, smart phone use, and psychological distress. There were no reported side-effects. A trend was observed for increase compliance toward treatment at follow-up. Future studies should explore this further with robust methodology.
ISSN:0973-6131