Matthew T Fish1, Carmen V Russoniello1, Kevin O'Brien2. 1. 1 Center for Applied Psychophysiology, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina. 2. 2 Department of Biostatistics, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, but when excessive, it can develop into a debilitating disorder. Traditional treatments such as pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating anxiety symptoms but are often costly and stigmatizing. This study tested whether a regimen of prescribed casual videogame (CVG) play could reduce individuals' anxiety symptom severity in a depressed population. CVGs are defined as fun, easy to play, spontaneous, and extremely popular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were taken from a larger study on depression and CVGs. Participants were screened for depression using a score of ≥5 (mild depression) on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. After completing pre-intervention questionnaires, participants were randomized into the experimental (n=30) or control (n=29) group. Participants in the experimental group were prescribed a CVG of their choice to play three times per week, for 30 minutes, over a 1-month period. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant interaction of group by time for state and trait anxiety measures, supporting the hypothesis that anxiety severity would be different by group post-intervention. When state and trait anxiety measures were compared using within-subjects contrasts and between-group analyses, significant decreases in anxiety symptom severity were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: A prescribed regimen of CVG play significantly reduced state and trait anxiety symptom severity as measured by the STAI. Clinicians should consider using these easy-to-use and low-cost CVGs to address symptoms associated with state and trait anxiety.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE:Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress, but when excessive, it can develop into a debilitating disorder. Traditional treatments such as pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating anxiety symptoms but are often costly and stigmatizing. This study tested whether a regimen of prescribed casual videogame (CVG) play could reduce individuals' anxiety symptom severity in a depressed population. CVGs are defined as fun, easy to play, spontaneous, and extremely popular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were taken from a larger study on depression and CVGs. Participants were screened for depression using a score of ≥5 (mild depression) on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. After completing pre-intervention questionnaires, participants were randomized into the experimental (n=30) or control (n=29) group. Participants in the experimental group were prescribed a CVG of their choice to play three times per week, for 30 minutes, over a 1-month period. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant interaction of group by time for state and trait anxiety measures, supporting the hypothesis that anxiety severity would be different by group post-intervention. When state and trait anxiety measures were compared using within-subjects contrasts and between-group analyses, significant decreases in anxiety symptom severity were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: A prescribed regimen of CVG play significantly reduced state and trait anxiety symptom severity as measured by the STAI. Clinicians should consider using these easy-to-use and low-cost CVGs to address symptoms associated with state and trait anxiety.
Authors: Carol S Bruggers; Sabrina Baranowski; Mathew Beseris; Rachel Leonard; Derek Long; Elizabeth Schulte; Ashton Shorter; Rowan Stigner; Clinton C Mason; Alisa Bedrov; Ian Pascual; Grzegorz Bulaj Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2018-04-09 Impact factor: 3.418
Authors: Theresa M Fleming; Derek de Beurs; Yasser Khazaal; Andrea Gaggioli; Giuseppe Riva; Cristina Botella; Rosa M Baños; Filippo Aschieri; Lynda M Bavin; Annet Kleiboer; Sally Merry; Ho Ming Lau; Heleen Riper Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2016-04-18 Impact factor: 4.157