Playing a scientifically-based gaming app for 25 minutes helped reduce anxiety in stressed-out people, according to new research published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science.
The mobile app game is inspired by a new cognitive treatment for anxiety called attention-bias modification training (ABMT). The treatment includes training patients to ignore a "threatening stimulus," such as an angry face, and to focus on a "non-threatening stimulus," such as a happy or neutral face. This treatment has previously proved to reduce anxiety and stress among those with high anxiety.
For the study, about 75 participants with relatively high anxiety were instructed to follow two characters around on a screen, and trace their paths as quickly and precisely as possible. After playing the game for 25 to 45 minutes, participants were required to give a "short speech" to researchers while being videotaped, which qualified as a highly stressful task for the participants.
The videos showed that participants who played the ABMT-based version demonstrated less nervous behavior and speech during their talk and "reported less negative feelings afterward" than those who used a placebo.
"Even the ‘short dosage' of the app - about 25 minutes - had potent effects on anxiety and stress measured in the lab," explains lead researcher Tracy Dennis of Hunter College, who co-authored the study with Laura O'Toole of The City University of New York. "This is good news in terms of the potential to translate these technologies into mobile app format because use of apps tends to be brief and ‘on the go.'"
Researchers are now investigating whether even shorter play intervals such as those used for regular smartphone games would result in the same reduction in anxiety.
"We're examining whether use of the app in brief 10-minute sessions over the course of a month successfully reduces stress and promotes positive birth outcomes in moderately anxious pregnant women," Dennis says.
It is unknown at this time whether the app could result in mental health benefits for those with clinically-diagnosed anxiety. However, a gamified ABMT could potentially work as a "cognitive vaccine" for anxiety and stress.
"Millions of people suffering from psychological distress fail to seek or receive mental health services. A key factor here is that many evidence-based treatments are burdensome -- time consuming, expensive, difficult to access, and perceived as stigmatizing," says Dennis.
"Given this concerning disparity between need and accessibility of services, it is crucial for psychological researchers to develop alternative treatment delivery systems that are more affordable, accessible, and engaging."
"Gamifying psychological interventions successfully could revolutionize how we treat mental illness and how we view our own mental health. Our hope is to develop highly accessible and engaging evidence-based mobile intervention strategies that can be used in conjunction with traditional therapy or that can be ‘self-curated' by the individual as personal tools to promote mental wellness," Dennis continued.
A number of other mental health apps are already on the market, including Mindshift, which features relaxation games and healthy lifestyle tips, and PTSD Coach, an app designed to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Meditation Oasis is an app featuring guided meditations to relieve stress and anxiety.
(Source: nydailynews.com)
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