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WeChat public-account intervention based on the IMB model reduces internet addiction and increases sleep duration in college students

A 6-week WeChat-based IMB intervention significantly reduced internet addiction (adjusted mean change -4.531, 95% CI -7.281 to -1.781; P=.001) and increased sleep duration (odds ratio 2.186, 95% CI 1.142-4.183; P=.02) in college students aged 18-24 with internet addiction. The intervention also improved motivation and behavioral skills, with effects varying by addiction severity.

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score44/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effectiveness of WeChat Public Account Intervention Based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Among College Students With Internet Addiction: Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Yang H, Geng A, Ruan W, Yang Y, Xu F, Shi H, Xu W, Jiang K, Guo H, Wang S, Hu Z, Man M, Zhang Z · Journal of medical Internet research (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 6 weeks
Intervention: 6-week structured online program via WeChat public account based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, comprising three modules: information, motivation, and behavioral skills
Outcome: Internet addiction (Internet Addiction Test score), sleep duration, sleep quality, somatic-psychological symptoms, motivation (Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire), behavioral skills (Internet Control Self-Efficacy Questionnaire)
Effect Size: Adjusted mean change -4.531 (IAT score); odds ratio 2.186 for increased sleep duration
Population: 226 college students aged 18-24 years with internet addiction from a university in Anhui Province, China

Result:

PubMed: 42398925DOI: 10.2196/84664

Mechanism Graph

Intervention delivered via WeChat public account
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Participants engaged with information, motivation, and behavioral skills modules
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Increased motivation (adjusted mean change 4.283) and behavioral skills (adjusted mean change 3.407)
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Result: Reduced internet addiction and increased sleep duration

Limitations

  • ⚠Single university in China limits generalizability
  • ⚠Control group received no intervention, so placebo effects cannot be ruled out
  • ⚠Self-reported measures may introduce bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IMB model?▼

The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model posits that behavior change requires information about the behavior, motivation to change, and behavioral skills to execute the change.

How long was the intervention?▼

The intervention lasted 6 weeks, delivered via a WeChat public account.

Did the intervention improve sleep quality?▼

No significant differences were observed between groups in sleep quality; only sleep duration increased significantly.

Was the effect stronger for severe internet addiction?▼

Yes, the decline in IAT scores in the moderate to severe subgroup was twice as large as that in the mild subgroup.

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References

  1. 1.Yang H, Geng A, Ruan W, Yang Y, Xu F, Shi H, Xu W, Jiang K, Guo H, Wang S, Hu Z, Man M, Zhang Z. "Effectiveness of WeChat Public Account Intervention Based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Among College Students With Internet Addiction: Randomized Controlled Trial.." Journal of medical Internet research, 2026. PMID: 42398925 DOI: 10.2196/84664
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.