Problematic Gaming and Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Problematic gaming has been linked to poor sleep outcomes; however, these associations have not yet been synthesized quantitatively. This review employed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between problematic gaming and sleep-related outcomes. A search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar identified a total of 763 studies, including 34 studies (n = 51,901 participants) eligible for inclusion. Papers were included if available in any European language, addressed problematic gaming, contained original data, and provided sufficient data for calculation of effect sizes. Two researchers independently extracted data using pre-defined fields including quality assessment. Sleep-related outcomes were meta-analyzed for sleep parameters that were reported by 5 or more papers. Significant overall effects were found for sleep duration (g = −0.238, 95% CI = −0.364, −0.112), poor sleep quality (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.47, 2.78), daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.00, 2.46) and sleep problems (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.94, 3.47). Between-study heterogeneity was detected for all meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses showed a higher inverse effect size for adolescent samples compared to adult or non-specific age samples in terms of sleep duration. For daytime sleepiness, a larger effect size was found for studies based on single-item sleep measures compared to multi-item sleep measures. For sleep problems, the subgroup analysis showed the opposite with a higher effect size for studies based on single-item sleep measures than multi-item sleep measures. Across all sleep parameters, problematic gamers consistently reported a more adverse sleep status than non-problematic gamers.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; record ID: CRD42020158955.

Gaming Behaviors and the Association with Sleep Duration, Social Jetlag, and Difficulties Falling Asleep among Norwegian Adolescents

“…However, no studies have looked at technology use and social jetlag defined as a difference in bedtime on weekdays and weekends [19]. Moreover, a recent literature review found that problematic gaming was associated with shorter sleep duration, increased likelihood of reporting poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep problems [39].…”

The Association of Internet Addiction with Burnout, Depression, Insomnia, and Quality of Life among Hungarian High School Teachers

“…Based on previously published meta-analyses of cross-sectional studies, IA can be associated with a wide range of social and mental issues such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however; the association remains to be further investigated and clarified [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Sleep in Habitual Adult Video Gamers: A Systematic Review

“…These reports have prompted growing awareness and concern regarding the adverse health risks associated with excessive gaming (Holden et al, 2018). In particular, gaming is associated with longer sleep onset latency, short sleep duration, and poor sleep quality (Kristensen et al, 2021). There is also evidence describing altered sleep architecture from gaming, including reduced slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep (Higuchi et al, 2005;Dworak et al, 2007;Weaver et al, 2010).…”

“…Sleep disturbances may also manifest as sleep disorders, such as insomnias, and challenge the initiation and maintenance of healthy sleep. This could provoke problematic gaming behaviors, whereby gamers displace sleep with gaming activities as a way of coping with their sleeplessness (Kristensen et al, 2021). A vicious cycle may thus ensue, in which unhealthy sleep practices and problematic sleep perpetuate problematic gaming behaviors (Kristensen et al, 2021), translating to profound acute and chronic implications on cardiometabolic health.…”

“…This could provoke problematic gaming behaviors, whereby gamers displace sleep with gaming activities as a way of coping with their sleeplessness (Kristensen et al, 2021). A vicious cycle may thus ensue, in which unhealthy sleep practices and problematic sleep perpetuate problematic gaming behaviors (Kristensen et al, 2021), translating to profound acute and chronic implications on cardiometabolic health. A recent study involving adolescent gamers found that curtailed sleep mediated the negative association identified between gaming addiction and abdominal obesity, which in turn was linked to higher blood pressure, altered lipid profiles, and insulin resistance (Turel et al, 2016).…”