A single remedy session, which incorporates the online game Tetris, can cut back signs of post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD). This has been proven in a brand new examine carried out with healthcare professionals working in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The examine is led by researchers at Uppsala College and is printed in BMC Medication.
“It’s attainable to scale back the frequency of disagreeable and intrusive reminiscences of trauma, and thereby additionally alleviate different PTSD signs. With only one guided remedy session, we noticed constructive results that persevered after 5 weeks and even six months after remedy. Trauma can have an effect on anybody. If this impact might be achieved with an on a regular basis instrument that features video gaming, it may very well be an accessible method to assist many individuals,” explains Emily Holmes, Professor at Uppsala College who led the examine.
The hallmark symptom of PTSD is disagreeable and intrusive reminiscences of a traumatic occasion within the type of psychological photos – usually referred to as flashbacks. Different signs could embrace avoidance, extreme pressure and issues akin to problem sleeping and concentrating. Holmes and her colleagues have been researching the best way to forestall PTSD for a very long time. Within the present examine, the researchers centered on eliminating flashbacks. By changing intrusive reminiscences utilizing a visible job, different PTSD signs may also be lowered.
Psychological rotation utilizing Tetris
The remedy relies on what is called psychological rotation, which lies on the coronary heart of Tetris. While you take a look at an object from one angle, you’ll be able to think about what it might appear to be if it had been rotated to a special place and may very well be seen from a special angle.
The examine concerned 164 individuals (see truth field). All individuals monitored their intrusive reminiscences of trauma for per week. After that they had been randomized to one in every of two situations. Half the group had been requested to play Tetris with psychological rotation. The opposite half, the management group, was given a non-visual job: listening to the radio. All individuals saved a diary about their flashbacks. In the beginning of the examine, individuals had been experiencing a median of 15 flashbacks per week. At a five-week follow-up, individuals within the management group had a median of 5 episodes per week, however these within the gaming group had a median of only one.
At a follow-up six months after remedy, individuals within the playing group had much less extreme signs of PTSD. In an evaluation utilizing a acknowledged questionnaire (PCL-5) typically used to evaluate all PTSD signs, the gaming group skilled round half as many as issues because the management group.
“It was stunning to us that the remedy technique was so efficient and that the development in signs lasted for six months. I notice that it might appear unlikely that such a brief intervention, which incorporates video video games however would not embrace an in-depth dialogue of trauma with a therapist, may assist. However the examine supplies scientifically managed proof {that a} single guided digital remedy session can cut back the variety of intrusive reminiscences and that it may be used safely by individuals,” she continues.
“Cognitive vaccination”
My imaginative and prescient is that in the future we can present a instrument for individuals akin to healthcare professionals after traumatic occasions to assist forestall and deal with early PTSD signs,that could be a ‘cognitive vaccine’, in an identical method that we at present vaccinate in opposition to some infectious bodily ailments.”
Emily Holmes, Professor at Uppsala College
The analysis was performed in collaboration with colleagues at Uppsala Scientific Analysis and Karolinska Trials Alliance, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska College Hospital, Dalarna College, Sophiahemmet College, Ambulance Providers in Area Västerbotten, the College of Münster (Germany), P1Vital (UK) and the College of New South Wales, UNSW (Australia).
Supply:
Journal reference:
Kanstrup, M., et al. (2024). A guided single session intervention to scale back intrusive reminiscences of work-related trauma: a randomised managed trial with healthcare employees within the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Medication. doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03569-8.
