Playing to beat the blues: Video games viable treatment for depression
"Through the use of carefully designed persuasive message prompts ... mental health video games can be perceived and used as a more viable and less attrition-ridden treatment option," according to the study. The paper, authored by Subuhi Khan and Jorge Pena, professors in the Department of Communication at UC Davis, is forthcoming in Computers in Human Behavior . The messages, and subsequent games assigned, targeted depression that could be perceived as either internal -- caused by a chemical imbalance or hereditary factor; or depression that could come from outside factors -- such as a job or relationship situation. The messaging had slight differences in approach, but ended on basic inspirational notes to inspire the participant to play the game. Each message ended with: "Just like a regular workout, much of the benefit of these tasks comes from using them without taking breaks and putting in your best effort." Using six, three-minute games, the study fo...