MAPPING THE EVIDENCE ON YOGA-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR PROBLEMATIC SMARTPHONE, INTERNET, AND GAMING USE: AN EVIDENCE GAP MAP

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of smartphones, internet-enabled technologies, online gaming platforms, and social media has fundamentally transformed modern lifestyles while simultaneously introducing new public health challenges associated with problematic digital technology use. Excessive and uncontrolled engagement with digital devices has been linked to a broad spectrum of adverse psychological, behavioural, cognitive, academic, occupational, and social consequences, including increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, impaired executive functioning, reduced attention, poor emotional regulation, diminished academic performance, and decreased overall quality of life. Adolescents, university students, young adults, and working professionals have emerged as particularly vulnerable populations because of their extensive dependence on digital technologies for education, communication, entertainment, and professional activities. Consequently, there is increasing interest in identifying effective, accessible, and non-pharmacological interventions capable of promoting healthier digital behaviors while improving psychological well-being. Yoga, a holistic mind–body practice integrating physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, mindfulness, relaxation practices, and philosophical principles, has gained substantial recognition as a complementary therapeutic intervention for improving self-regulation, emotional balance, attention, stress management, and overall mental health. Emerging evidence suggests that yoga may reduce excessive digital technology use by strengthening cognitive control, enhancing mindfulness, improving emotional resilience, reducing impulsivity, and promoting healthier behavioural patterns. However, the available evidence remains fragmented across diverse forms of problematic digital technology use, heterogeneous intervention approaches, varied study populations, and inconsistent outcome measures. This fragmentation makes it difficult for researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers to determine where sufficient evidence exists and where important knowledge gaps remain. The present Evidence Gap Map (EGM) aims to systematically map the existing evidence concerning yoga-based interventions for problematic smartphone use, internet addiction, gaming disorder, social media addiction, and excessive screen time. Specifically, this review seeks to identify the populations that have been investigated, classify the characteristics of yoga interventions, examine different forms of digital technology addiction addressed in the literature, summarize primary and secondary outcomes, evaluate dominant study designs, and identify areas with sufficient evidence alongside important research gaps requiring future investigation. The review adopts the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) framework to guide evidence synthesis and organizes findings using an EGM that maps various yoga interventions against clinical, behavioural, and psychological outcomes. The proposed EGM will provide a comprehensive overview of current research while supporting evidence-informed decision-making in healthcare, education, digital wellness, and behavioural medicine. By identifying both well-established evidence and under-researched areas, this review offers valuable guidance for future clinical trials, intervention development, educational programs, public health initiatives, and policy formulation. Ultimately, the findings are expected to contribute to the development of more effective yoga-based strategies for addressing problematic digital technology use while promoting healthier relationships with digital media and improving psychological well-being across diverse populations