Tetris May Prevent PTSD from Developing

Useful Links: PTSD FAQs: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/faqs.htm PTSD after a car accident: https://familydoctor.org/post-traumatic-stress-after-a-traffic-accident/ About Tetris: http://tetris.com/about-tetris/ Related Articles: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-28-tetris-used-prevent-post-traumatic-stress-symptoms

1. flashback / ˈflæʃˌbæk / [FLASH-bak ] (n) – a strong and unpleasant memory that a person remembers suddenly Example: He would sometimes have flashbacks of the accident. 2. traumatic / trəˈmæt ɪk / [truh–MAT-ik ] (adj) – causing pain mentally and emotionally Example: The fire that destroyed his house was a traumatic event for him. 3. hypothesis / haɪˈpɒθ ə sɪs / [hahy-POTH–uh-sis ] (n) – an unproven idea that is tested and studied Example: He has a good hypothesis, but it needs to be tested. 4. engaging / ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪŋ / [en-GEY-jing ] (adj) – pleasing and causing someone to focus Example: Playing cards can be an engaging activity. 5. afflict / əˈflɪkt / [uh–FLIKT ] (v) – to have mental or physical pain through a disease Example: Many were easily afflicted by the disease when it spread.

Researchers discovered that playing the computer game Tetris can prevent flashbacks, one major symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People who have experienced or witnessed war, road accidents, or other life-threatening situations can develop PTSD after the incident. Returning flashbacks or memories of the incident is a major symptom of the condition. Patients with the condition may also experience lack of sleep and paranoia, or the constant feeling that something wrong is going to happen. The study was done by researchers from Oxford University and Karolinska Institute’s Department of Clinical Neuroscience. Their hypothesis is that if patients do something engaging within a few hours of a traumatic incident, flashbacks can be blocked from coming and memories of the event will not be formed strongly.

What are some symptoms of PTSD?

The team tested the hypothesis on 71 car crash survivors. All of the survivors were asked for details about their accident. Afterward, half of them were asked to play Tetris for 20 minutes, while the other half were not. A week after the accident, those who played the game reported very few flashbacks of the traumatic event. Meanwhile, those who did not play the game reported around 23 flashbacks. The scientists also found that the flashbacks faded more quickly among people in the first group.

What did the researchers ask half of the survivors to do?

The researchers hope to continue the research on the prevention of PTSD using Tetris among accident survivors. They would also like to involve more patients in the study and determine how long the effects of the game would last. They would also like to know if similar games can be used to treat people who are already afflicted with PTSD, which include refugees from other countries and soldiers returning home from war.

What would the researchers like to find out?

Discussion A • Aside from accident survivors, who else can benefit from this research? • Do you think this way of treatment should be implemented widely? Why or why not? Discussion B • Do you agree that video games can have medical benefits? Why or why not? • In what other conditions can video games be helpful? Discuss.