Tech Shout!

Stress and tension can be now tackled by a very simple solution – just play a casual game. East Carolina University has confirmed through a 6-month randomized, controlled study that shows positive health benefits out of casual video games.

The study that was funded by casual game developer PopCap, aimed at trying to determine, quantify the audience and benefits of casual gaming. The study responded back with results which found a significant positive impact on subjects’ moods and stress levels. East Carolina University was so impressed with the results that they are planning to start clinical trials to determine the therapeutic value of the games.

Dr. Carmen Russoniello, associate professor of recreational therapy and director of the Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic at ECU’s College of Health and Human Performance said, “The results of this study are impressive and intriguing, given the extent of the effects of the games on subjects’ stress levels and overall mood.” Adding, “When coupled with the very high degree of confidence we have in those results based on the methodology and technologies used, I believe there is a wide range of therapeutic applications of casual games in mood-related disorders such as depression and in stress-related disorders including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

The study was based on 134 subjects out of whom 31 were a part of the control group and the others were monitored while playing PopCap games Bejeweled 2, Bookworm Adventures, and Peggle. The study monitored heart rate variability, collected psychological data based on pre- and post-activity interviews, and took electroencephalograms (both baselines and during gameplay) to judge the subjects’ tension, anger, depression, vigor, fatigue, and confusion.

With such an overwhelming positive response, researchers plan to take this study a step further by presenting the results at the Games for Health conference in Baltimore on May 8.