The role of gamification in digital mental health

Fleming, Theresa; Poppelaars, Marlou; Thabrew, Hiran

doi:10.1002/wps.21041

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Users needed to play 2–3 times a week for 20–30 min Wait-list group: - Participants were placed on a waitlist without access to the intervention Schakel et al (2020) [ 37 ] RCT / 2 (after 6–7 weeks, after 10 weeks) Nether-lands Intervention group (n = 35): Age: M = 22.5 Female sex: 0% Drop-out: 17.2% Control group (n = 34): Age: M = 22.9 Female sex: 0% Drop-out: 8.9% Handling of drop-outs: Per-protocol analysis - Goals - Storytelling/ Narration 6 weeks Intervention group: - Participants received a guided ICBT intervention for 6 weeks, which contained 6 modules guided by a therapist. Additionally, users played a serious game (Ivanovna©) that included comparable modules as the guided intervention Control group: - Participants did not receive any intervention RCT Randomized control trial, cRCT Cluster randomized control trial, M Median, f Female, m Male, CBT Cognitive behavioural therapy, ICBT Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy 1 Numbers of participants refer to the time of randomization 2 Information taken from [ 38 , 39 ] 3 In this case only the HeadSpace group is identified as the intervention group because of gamified elements 4 Only results from the real-life experiment are reported because Study 2 has no control group 5 This study reports results from a pilot experiment and real-life experiment. We only present results for the real-life experiment here …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… RCT Randomized control trial, cRCT Cluster randomized control trial, M Median, f Female, m Male, CBT Cognitive behavioural therapy, ICBT Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy 1 Numbers of participants refer to the time of randomization 2 Information taken from [ 38 , 39 ] 3 In this case only the HeadSpace group is identified as the intervention group because of gamified elements 4 Only results from the real-life experiment are reported because Study 2 has no control group 5 This study reports results from a pilot experiment and real-life experiment. We only present results for the real-life experiment here …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of gamified digital interventions in mental health prevention and health promotion among adults: a scoping review

Aschentrup,

Steimer,

Dadaczynski

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Though still a young field of research, gamified digital interventions have demonstrated potential in exerting a favourable impact on health and overall well-being. With the increasing use of the internet and digital devices, the integration of game elements presents novel opportunities for preventing mental disorders and enhancing mental health. Hence, this review aims to assess the effectiveness of gamified interventions focusing on preventing mental disorders or promoting mental health among adults. Methods Based on a scoping review across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo and Web of Science), 7,953 studies were initially identified. After removing duplicates and screening titles, abstracts and full texts, 16 studies were identified as suitable for inclusion in a narrative synthesis of findings. We included interventional studies encompassing an intervention and a control group aiming to investigate the effectiveness of the use of gamified digital mental health interventions and the use of gamified digital elements. Results Overall, positive effects of gamified interventions on mental health-related outcomes were identified. In particular, beneficial consequences for psychological well-being and depressive symptoms were observed in all studies. However, further outcomes, such as resilience, anxiety, stress or satisfaction with life, showed heterogenous findings. Most game elements used were reward, sensation and progress, whilst the quantity of elements was not consistent and, therefore, no substantiated conclusion regarding the (optimal) quantity or composition of game elements can be drawn. Further, the outcomes, measurements and analyses differed greatly between the 16 included studies making comparisons difficult. Conclusion In summary, this review demonstrates the potential of integrating digital game elements on mental health and well-being with still a great gap of research. A taxonomy is needed to adequately address relevant game elements in the field of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders. Therefore, future studies should explicitly focus on the mechanisms of effect and apply rigorous study designs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of gamified digital interventions in mental health prevention and health promotion among adults: a scoping review

Aschentrup,

Steimer,

Dadaczynski

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Section: User Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overwhelmingly, playing the games (P5, 9,22,23,24,25,26,29,31,32,33,35,38) was mentioned as a favorite part of the app, as was watching the videos (P9, 11,22,24,26,27,29,38). At least five participants liked remembering and identifying their strengths (P24, 26,29,38,33). The rewards (P27, 29,38), character stories (P1, P22, P23, P29), adding photos of family (P26) and people who care about you (P5, 35,24,27), and listening to the music (P26) were also mentioned as being liked.…”

Section: User Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feasibility and Acceptability of the Aboriginal and Islander Mental Health Initiative for Youth App: Nonrandomized Pilot With First Nations Young People

Dingwall¹,

Povey²,

Sweet³

et al. 2023

JMIR Hum Factors

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Background Despite young First Nations Australians being typically healthy, happy, and connected to family and culture, high rates of emotional distress, suicide, and self-harm are also observed. Differing worldviews of service providers and First Nations young people regarding illness and treatment practices, language differences, culturally inappropriate service models, geographical remoteness, and stigma can all inhibit access to appropriate mental health support. Mental health treatments delivered digitally (digital mental health; dMH) offer flexible access to evidence-based, nonstigmatizing, low-cost treatment and early intervention on a broad scale. There is a rapidly growing use and acceptance of these technologies among young First Nations people. Objective The objective was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and use of the newly developed Aboriginal and Islander Mental Health Initiative for Youth (AIMhi-Y) app and determine the feasibility of study procedures in preparation for future assessments of effectiveness. Methods This was a nonrandomized pre-post study using mixed methods. First Nations young people aged 12-25 years who provided consent (with parental consent where appropriate) and possessed the ability to navigate a simple app with basic English literacy were included. Researchers conducted one face-to-face 20-minute session with participants to introduce and orient them to the AIMhi-Y app. The app integrates culturally adapted low-intensity cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and mindfulness-based activities. Participants received supportive text messages weekly throughout the 4-week intervention period and completed assessments of psychological distress, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, help-seeking, service use, and parent-rated strengths and difficulties at baseline and 4 weeks. Qualitative interviews and rating scales were completed at 4 weeks to gain feedback on subjective experience, look and style, content, overall rating, check-ins, and involvement in the study. App use data were collected. Results Thirty young people (17 males and 13 females) aged between 12 and 18 (mean 14.0, SD 1.55) years were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks. Repeated measures 2-tailed t tests showed improvements in well-being measures that were statistically and clinically significant for psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, 10-item) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire, 2-item). Participants spent on average 37 minutes in the app. The app was rated positively, with mean ratings of 4 out of 5 points (on scales of 1-5). Participants reported that they found the app easy to use, culturally relevant, and useful. The feasibility of the study was demonstrated with a 62% recruitment rate, a 90% retention rate, and high study acceptability ratings. Conclusions This study supports earlier research suggesting that dMH apps that are appropriately designed with and for the target populations are a feasible and acceptable means of lowering symptoms for mental health disorders among First Nations youth.

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Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Online Games

Bauman

Rivers

2023

Mental Health in the Digital Age

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The role of gamification in digital mental health

Cited by 20 publications

References 11 publications

Effectiveness of gamified digital interventions in mental health prevention and health promotion among adults: a scoping review

Effectiveness of gamified digital interventions in mental health prevention and health promotion among adults: a scoping review

Feasibility and Acceptability of the Aboriginal and Islander Mental Health Initiative for Youth App: Nonrandomized Pilot With First Nations Young People

Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Online Games

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