Brief Gaming Interventions Reduce State Anxiety: A Meta-Analytic Review
Coles, Starcevic & Harman
Key finding
Even short gaming sessions (under 30 minutes) produce measurable reductions in self-reported anxiety, comparable in magnitude to brief mindfulness exercises.
Meta-analysis of 9 randomised trials850 participants
The SPARX RPG, built around cognitive-behavioural therapy principles, was non-inferior to conventional treatment (face-to-face therapy) for adolescent depression — and showed higher remission rates.