Structural and Functional Neural Correlates in Individuals with Excessive Smartphone Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hsiu-Man Lin, Yu-Tzu Chang, Meng-Hsiang Chen, Shu-Tsen Liu, Bo-Shen Chen, Lin Li, Chiao-Yu Lee, Yu-Ru Sue, Tsai-Mei Sung, Cheuk-Kwan Sun () and Pin-Yang Yeh ()
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Hsiu-Man Lin: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
Yu-Tzu Chang: School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Meng-Hsiang Chen: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Shu-Tsen Liu: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
Bo-Shen Chen: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Lin Li: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Chiao-Yu Lee: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Yu-Ru Sue: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Tsai-Mei Sung: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
Cheuk-Kwan Sun: Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824005, Taiwan
Pin-Yang Yeh: Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Despite known association of internet addiction with a reduced brain volume and abnormal connectivity, the impact of excessive smartphone use remains unclear. Methods: PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrial.gov, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception to July 2022 using appropriate keywords for observational studies comparing differences in brain volumes and activations between excessive smartphone users and individuals with regular use by magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Of the 11 eligible studies retrieved from 6993 articles initially screened, seven and six evaluated brain volumes and activations, respectively. The former enrolled 421 participants (165 excessive smartphone users vs. 256 controls), while the latter recruited 276 subjects with 139 excessive smartphone users. The results demonstrated a smaller brain volume in excessive smartphone users compared to the controls ( g = −0.55, p < 0.001), especially in subcortical regions ( p < 0.001). Besides, the impact was more pronounced in adolescents than in adults ( p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between impulsivity and volume reduction. Regarding altered activations, the convergences of foci in the declive of the posterior lobe of cerebellum, the lingual gyrus, and the middle frontal gyrus were noted. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated a potential association of excessive smartphone use with a reduced brain volume and altered activations.

Keywords: smartphone addiction; excessive smartphone use; problematic smartphone use; brain volume; functional connectivity; magnetic resonance imaging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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