Maze-Out: A Serious Game to Enhance Treatment for Eating Disorders. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
• Digital Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Eating disorders (ED) pose significant challenges to mental health and recovery.
• Serious games (SG) offer innovative approaches for therapeutic interventions.
• Co-designing interventions with patients and clinicians enhances relevance and engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Maze Out, a serious game, as an adjunct to treatment as usual (TAU) for individuals with ED.
• To assess the impact of Maze Out on self-efficacy, self-image, engagement, and personal recovery.
• To examine effects on feelings of ineffectiveness and insecurity in patients with ED.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 133 adult participants with ED diagnoses was conducted across 11 centers.
• Participants were randomized to receive Maze Out plus TAU or TAU alone for 15 weeks.
• Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, including intention-to-treat (ITT) and complete-case analyses.

Main Results:

• ITT analysis showed no significant differences between groups for primary or secondary outcomes.
• Complete-case analysis indicated significant improvements in personal recovery and reductions in negative self-image (self-blame, self-neglect) in the intervention group.
• High engagement levels were observed, suggesting meaningful participant interaction with the serious game.

Conclusions:

• While ITT analyses did not reveal overall effects, improvements in personal recovery and self-image suggest Maze Out's potential as a feasible adjunct to TAU.
• The serious game was found to be acceptable to patients with ED.
• Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and identify specific subgroups that may benefit most from this intervention.