SPARX video game treats depression in youngsters

Now this is definitely an idea worth exploring – researchers who hail from the University of Auckland in New Zealand recently published potentially promising results that saw the use of the specially designed SPARX video game to treat depression in teenage kids, where the effectiveness of the video game treatment was said to be as effective as traditional face-to-face counseling. What does SPARX do to be on par with the standard shrink? Well, this game will guide players through a number of challenges which will hopefully help youth practice handling different life situations and emotions which are associated with such situations.

Of course, the kids in the study group averaged 15 years old of age, and there are still many other factors to take into consideration when it comes to counseling such youth using a video game. Perhaps there will be expansion packs in the future which might address other situations for older, more mature children. Do you think that the use of video games like SPARX might also help assist adults in getting over their depression?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Gaming, Medical
Tags: video game