Can video games help relieve post-traumatic stress symptoms? Here’s what we know

A study has shown that playing video games can help lower symptoms of the PTSD, that includes nightmares and severe anxiety.

Sep 24, 2024 - 14:30
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Can video games help relieve post-traumatic stress symptoms? Here’s what we know

Managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? A novel know about has shown that playing video games can assist lower symptoms of the condition, which is in a position to guide to terrifying nightmares and severe anxiety. The know about, published in BMC Medicine, provides “scientifically controlled evidence that a single guided digital treatment session can decrease the choice of intrusive memories”.

How Video Games Can Relieve Post-Traumatic Stress?

It be used safely by patients, said the researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden. Unpleasant and intrusive memories of a traumatic event in the range of mental images or flashbacks are the hallmark symptoms of PTSD. Avoidance, excessive tension, and problems reminiscent of difficulty slumbering and concentrating are others.

The team monitored the intrusive memories of trauma in 164 participants for per week. While 0.5 the group were asked to play Tetris — a online game –, the opposite 0.5 or the keep an eye on group, were asked to listen to the radio.

On the guts of Tetris lies the concept that often called mental rotation. When a participant looks at an object from one angle, the person can imagine what it would appear like if it were turned around to a different position and will possibly well be seen from a different angle.

Emily Holmes, professor at Uppsala University said only one guided treatment session showed positive effects, which shows “it be miles you would to decrease the frequency of unpleasant and intrusive memories of trauma”. Holmes noted that if trauma can be reduced by “an everyday tool that features video gaming, it will probably well well be an on hand by reason of help a lot of people”.

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