Effectiveness of a residential treatment camp for adolescents with problematic Internet use in Japan: A 3-month follow-up pilot controlled study

BACKGROUND: Problematic Internet use (PIU) is a public health concern in children and adolescents and is associated with physical (e.g., musculoskeletal pain, headache) and mental health problems (e.g., depression, emotional instability). Kagawa Prefecture in Japan introduced a residential treatment camp for adolescent PIU in 2022; however, previous studies on its effectiveness lacked control groups and longitudinal follow-ups. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the short-term effects of the treatment camp on Internet addiction severity and mental health indicators using a non-randomized controlled design. METHODS: This pilot non-randomized controlled study was conducted between July and November 2024, with grade 5-9 students and their parents. The intervention group (n = 22) attended a 7-day residential camp, whereas the control group (n = 106) did not. Baseline assessments were conducted in July or August, and follow-up surveys three months post intervention. Students' Internet addiction, attachment style, mental health, self-efficacy, and lifestyle habits were measured. Parents' mental health and parenting styles were also measured. RESULTS: Intervention-group students had higher Internet addiction and mental health scores than control-group students at baseline. Post-intervention, intervention-group students showed greater improvements in Internet addiction (Δmedian =  - 9.5 vs. - 2.0) and mental health (Δmedian =  - 4 vs. 0), while intervention-group parents demonstrated a greater reduction in negative parenting behaviors (Δmedian =  - 6 vs. 0). CONCLUSION: This pilot non-randomized controlled study suggests short-term improvements in camp attendees' IAT scores and depressive symptoms at 3-month follow-up. A 12-month follow-up is planned to evaluate the longer-term sustainability of these findings.