Stress-Relieving Video Game and Its Effects: A POMS Case Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Game Design

Background:

• Stress is a significant physiological and psychological response to environmental demands.
• Illnesses are a primary cause of stress, making it a critical area of research.
• Stress impacts multiple bodily systems and can be a short-term or long-term issue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative, stress-releasing game.
• To scientifically validate the game's effectiveness in reducing stress.
• To explore the relationship between game design elements and stress reduction.

Main Methods:

• Development of a custom-built game incorporating stress-reducing elements (sound, visuals, color).
• Utilizing the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and POMS-2 surveys for psychological assessment.
• Conducting a six-month survey study to collect participant data and analyze psychological responses.

Main Results:

• The purpose-built game demonstrated a significant effect on reducing player stress levels.
• Analysis of survey data, including mean, standard deviation, and probability values, supported the game's efficacy.
• POMS and POMS-2 results confirmed the stress-reducing impact of the game.

Conclusions:

• The developed game is an effective tool for stress reduction.
• Game design principles can be leveraged to create therapeutic interventions.
• Further research can explore tailored game mechanics for enhanced stress management.