Digital Mental Health Games Improve Psychological Outcomes in Youth
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 -- Gamified digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) may offer benefits for youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depressive disorder, according to a review published online Sept. 23 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Barry R. Bryant, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to identify studies examining the efficacy and moderators of gamified DMHIs for anxiety, depression, and ADHD in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for children and adolescents.
Based on 27 identified RCTs (2,911 participants across conditions), the researchers found modest significant effects of gamified DMHIs on ADHD (g, 0.28) and depression (g, 0.28). Small, nonsignificant effects were seen for anxiety disorders (g, 0.07). Larger treatment effects were seen for DMHIs for ADHD delivered on a computer and those RCTs that had a greater preponderance of male participants, as well as for DMHIs for depressive disorders that used preset time limits for gamified DMHIs.
"The findings suggest that gamified DMHIs may constitute a key piece of a comprehensive pediatric mental health treatment plan for youth with ADHD or depression, and future research should consider identified moderators to optimize treatment outcomes," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to Emalex Biosciences, Syneos Health, and Noema Pharma.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted September 2024
Read this next
Insomnia Plays a Role in Quality of Life for Patients With ADHD
MONDAY, July 21, 2025 -- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with lower quality of life (QoL) in adults, and this association is only partially...
Seniors With Insomnia More Vulnerable to Inflammatory Challenge-Induced Depression
MONDAY, July 21, 2025 -- Older adults with insomnia are more vulnerable to depressive mood and symptoms in response to inflammatory exposure, according to a study published online...
Few Discontinuation Symptoms Reported After Stopping Antidepressants
THURSDAY, July 17, 2025 -- Most individuals do not go through severe withdrawal after discontinuing antidepressants, according to a study published online July 9 in JAMA...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.