The tolerance-related psychology and dynamic activity in the peripheral nervous system of Internet gaming disorder during playing online games

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has become an important emerging research topic with the popularization of Internet technology, but until now, few studies have investigated the dynamic relationship between persistent tolerance symptoms and physiological feedback. From a biomedical signal processing perspective, this gap in research development is due to the difficulty of identifying and examining the relationship between tiny, rapid fluctuations in non-linear, non-stationary physiological signals with limited time-resolved processing techniques. In this study, we propose to use high time-resolved complementary ensemble empirical pattern decomposition and normalized direct quadrature algorithm to explore the interactions between psychological characteristics and peripheral autonomic activity of individuals with IGD during a one-minute play session using the technique of instantaneous pulse rate variability (iPRV). Results: 26 healthy students and 20 individuals with IGD were recruited to participate in two levels of online games (G1 and G2). The IGD group reported having a fear of missing out and striving for high game standards, both reflecting the inadequacy component of tolerance symptoms. The inadequacy component was significantly positively correlated with IGD risks (r = 0.657). The IGD group also perceived G2 as significantly more challenging than G1. During the G1 stage, emotional intensity was significantly positively correlated with the time component of tolerance (r = 0.293). At the sixth minute of the G1 stage, normalized very high-frequency (r = − 0.330) and normalized low-frequency (nLF) bands iPRV (r = 0.329) were significantly negatively and positively correlated with the IGD risk, respectively. This nLF band was significantly positively correlated with the inadequacy component (r = 0.313). Conclusion: These results suggest that tolerance-related motivational components may trigger heightened emotional intensity and peripheral autonomic activation in individuals with IGD. This study provides novel insights into short-term psychophysiological dynamics underlying IGD, contributing to a deeper understanding of its persistent addictive behavior.