MoodJumper: An Exploration of Game Interface Preferences in Users With/Out Mood Disorder

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mental Health Technology

Background:

• Mental health conditions present a significant global health challenge, with mental illnesses projected to be the leading cause of disease burden by 2030.
• Existing mental health services face challenges in meeting user needs and reaching a substantial portion of the population requiring support.
• Games for Health, particularly those targeting mental health, are gaining attention, yet user interface preferences for individuals with mental health conditions remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate game interface preferences among users with a history of mental health conditions.
• To determine if a history of mood disorders influences the selection of game features and engagement.
• To inform the design of engaging and accessible digital health interventions for mental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Development of 'MoodJumper,' a prototype Android mobile game allowing avatar control and in-game objective completion.
• A preliminary study involving 25 participants who could customize game settings (e.g., color, character, music).
• Tracking of participant gaming behavior, including session duration and high scores, alongside self-reported history of mood disorders.

Main Results:

• The majority of participants, irrespective of their mood disorder history, preferred dark and colored game layouts.
• No significant differences were observed in gaming variables such as session duration and high scores between participants with and without a history of mood disorders.
• This preliminary data indicates that a history of mood disorder may not affect user preferences for game interface settings.

Conclusions:

• A history of mood disorder does not appear to influence preferences for specific game interface settings, such as color schemes and layout.
• Further research, including studies with individuals currently experiencing low mood, is needed to fully understand these preferences.
• Systematic investigation of game interface preferences in individuals with mood disorders is crucial for leveraging games in mental health support.