Could mobile gaming reduce someone’s depression symptoms by reducing negative thoughts? A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Researchsuggests that it can, as long as it involves the right game.
Based on a decade of research, scientists at Harvard University have developed an app that focuses on breaking cycles of ruminative thinking, a key contributor to depression. The study by Professor Moshe Bar and colleagues finds that users of the app experience significant, lasting improvements in mood after multiple gaming sessions.
Conclusions:
The results demonstrate that a gamified app designed to facilitate thought progression is associated with improvement in depressive symptoms. Given its innovative and accessibility features, this gamified method aiming to facilitate thought progression may successfully complement traditional treatments for depression in the future, providing a safe and impactful way to enhance the lives of individuals experiencing depression and anxiety.