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Video Game to Attenuate Pandemic-Related Stress From an Equity Lens: Development and Usability Study
Nadia Minian1,2,3,4, Anika Saiva1, Allison Gayapersad1
1Nicotine Dependence Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
JMIR Formative Research
|April 12, 2022
Summary
A video game integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively reduced stress in a pilot study. This innovative approach offers accessible mental health support for Canadians experiencing increased anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Digital Mental Health
- Game-Based Interventions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges, increasing depression, anxiety, and stress among Canadians.
- Limited access to engaging and sustainable cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) hinders effective mental health care.
- A collaboration between CAMH and NRC developed a video game, Legend of Evelys, to deliver CBT-based self-led modules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the design, implementation, and considerations for a video game-based CBT self-care module.
- To evaluate the usability, user engagement, and perceptions of the video game intervention.
- To assess the video game's effectiveness in mitigating COVID-19-related stress.
Main Methods:
- Developed a secure technological infrastructure for the video game modules.
- Conducted clinician-led assessments of clinical utility via "whiteboard" sessions.
- Employed a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design with in-app analytics, surveys, and semi-structured interviews for usability study.
Main Results:
- 32 participants trialed the game for 2 weeks, using it an average of six times.
- Participants rated the game as "good" via the Systems Usability Scale.
- A significant reduction in Perceived Stress Scale scores was observed (P=.001), with qualitative feedback leading to successful game integration.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating CBT exercises into a video game is feasible and can be adopted for stress management.
- Video games present a promising strategy for addressing stress and anxiety.
- Further research is needed to examine the real-world effectiveness of Legend of Evelys in reducing anxiety.
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