Computer games can ease painful memories

A common symptom of PTSD is unpleasant memories of a traumatic event. The memories can take the form of images, known as flashbacks. Other symptoms can include avoidance behavior and fatigue, as well as sleep problems and difficulty concentrating. In one study, researchers at Uppsala University looked at a new way to deal with these intrusive memories.

Mental rotation in therapy

They tested a treatment based on what's called mental rotation, which is also the essence of the computer game Tetris. Mental rotation involves looking at something from one angle and imagining what it would look like if it were rotated to a different position – and thus seen from a different angle.

The study involved more than 160 people who worked in healthcare during the pandemic. The participants were divided into two groups. Half of them had to play the computer game Tetris for 20 minutes. The control group had to listen to the radio for the same amount of time.

The game had an impact.

When the study began, participants had an average of 15 flashbacks per week. At a follow-up five weeks later, people in the control group were exposed to about five challenging memory experiences per week, while the gaming group had an average of just one.

– It is possible to overcome unpleasant and intrusive memories resulting from the trauma, and in this way also reduce other symptoms of PTSD. With just one therapy session, we saw positive effects that lasted five weeks and up to six months after treatment, says Emily Holmes, professor at Uppsala University.

-Trauma can affect anyone. If this impact can be achieved using an everyday tool that includes computer games, it could be an accessible way to help many.

surprisingly short effort

The results of the study surprised both the researchers and the participants.

“I realize it may seem unlikely that such a short intervention, involving computer games and no in-depth discussion of the trauma with a therapist, could help. But the study provides robust scientific evidence that a single guided digital therapy session can overcome intrusive memories, and that participants can use it independently,” says Emily Holmes.

Scientific study:

A single-session targeted intervention to reduce intrusive memories of work-related trauma: a randomized controlled trial with healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemicBMC.