Certain video games may help treat symptoms of major depression, according to a study that tested Super Mario Odyssey as a mental health therapy.
German researchers compared three methods for treating the “deterioration in emotional, mood, and cognitive function” caused by major depressive disorder. Over a six-week period, 46 people with clinical depression were divided into groups to play Super Mario Odyssey, complete a cognitive remediation program, or receive standard treatment with psychotherapy and medication.
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According to the study, people selected to play video games had the greatest reduction in symptoms of depression. study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. After six weeks, only 57% still reported high levels of depressive symptoms. And they were more motivated to complete the video game training than the group assigned to the cognitive remediation program.
Many treatments for depression do not address the cognitive impairments caused by depression, researchers said in a study. Since 3D video games have been shown to increase cognitive function in healthy adults, they wanted to test their effects on mood and motivation.
The researchers said that due to the structure of the study, the results should be “interpreted with caution,” but that 3D video games could serve as a “cost-effective and viable intervention” alongside traditional treatments and therapies. He said that there is a sex.Video games may increase happiness and training motivation, leading to improvements working memory – Research concludes that it is an essential function in problem solving and other mental processes.
Video games are designed to be fun and evoke positive emotions, and can provide a sense of control, the researchers noted. The rewards and feedback they provide may also explain why the video game group in this study was more motivated to complete the training than the group that underwent a cognitive remediation program known as CogPack. However, that group showed the greatest improvement in working memory.
“Super Mario Odyssey” was released on Nintendo Switch in 2017. In the game, players explore a large, colorful 3D environment in search of collectible “Power Moons.” Players must solve puzzles and defeat enemies to find these collectibles. By comparison, cog packfocuses on cognitive remediation through exercises that include “visual motor function, comprehension, attention, memory, language use, and skills training.”
Video games have shown the potential to treat other health conditions as well.
In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved EndeavorRX, the first prescription video game, as a supplement to traditional treatment for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Research suggests they may be useful in physical therapy, pain management, and anxiety reduction.
