Game changer: Video game might help with depression

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-08-18 01:00

International

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International researchers say a digital behavioural health game was linked to significant reductions in depressive symptoms. They analysed a clinical trial that involved 532 participants, where half were given the game and the other half a control game. The researchers say the group that played the digital behavioural health game had modest but sustained reductions in depressive symptoms after 12 months when compared against the control group. Additionally, the researchers found the intervention to be linked to improved beliefs about psychological services straight after the intervention, which they think might partially explain the short-term reductions in symptoms. The team added that the game had no link to any changes in anxiety symptoms.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Dartmouth College, USA

Funder: Research reported in this publication was supported by award 4UH3DA050251-03 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as part of the HEAL Initiative and training grant T32DA037202 from the NIDA.

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