The Impact of Playing Tetris on Migrants' Mental Health
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorTilburg University
About this trial
This study examines if playing Tetris prevents the development of Post-traumatic stress disorder or related anxiety and depressive symptoms. The investigators recruit 300 participants in total in Greece and in the Netherlands. The participants are immigrants who have applied for asylum at any point in the past. The participants are asked to answer three questionnaires (on Post-traumatic stress disorder, related anxiety and depressive symptoms, and post-migration living difficulties) on a recurring basis - once every 4 weeks, 12 times in total. Half of the participants (treatment group) are randomly selected to play Tetris after completing the questionnaires. Participants in the treatment group are instructed to play Tetris for at least 15 minutes while trying to remember bad things that recently happened to them. Tetris is administered at three instances and participants in the treatment group are encouraged to play Tetris in case of experiencing any traumatic events or having any intrusive memories during the course of the study.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Arabic-speaking immigrants of any gender who have applied for asylum in Greece or in the Netherlands, regardless of the outcome of their asylum application and their current residency status (rejected asylum seekers, recognized refugees, undocumented migrants).
Disqualifiers
Minors (under the age of 18).
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Tetris
BehavioralRandomly selected participants (migrants) are asked to play Tetris for at least 15 minutes on several occasions. These participants are asked while playing Tetris to try and remember bad events that recently happened to them. The participants play the classic version of the Tetris game directly on their mobile phone.
No intervention
Other interventionParticipants do not receive any intervention.
Treatment groups
300 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Treatment tetris groupOther 1 intervention
Group B: Control groupOther 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Post-traumatic stress disorder
The investigators use the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (PC-PTSD-5)
Time frame
From enrolment to the end of the study (40 weeks)2
Anxiety and depression symptoms
The investigators use the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale
Time frame
From enrolment to the end of the study (40 weeks)Secondary outcomes
1
Post-migration living difficulties
In the course of the study, the investigators measure variation in post-migration living difficulties such as separation from family, social isolation, language barriers, etc. Participants are presented a checklist of items and asked to identify for each item if it has been a problem for them over the last month, with 4 possible answers for each item: 1) not a problem; 2) minor problem; 3) serious problem; 4) very serious problem. In addition, participants are asked if over the last month they have 1) been victimised in any way ; 2) had any negative experiences involving bureaucratic personnel or state officials; 3) had experiences that made them feel happy and gave them hope for the future (open questions).
Time frame
From enrolment to the end of the study (40 weeks)Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Tilburg University
Lead sponsor
Stichting tot steun VCVGZ
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov