The Usefulness of an intervention with a serious video game as a complementary approach to cognitive behavioural therapy in eating disorders

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to test the usefulness of an add-on serious video game approach (i.e., Playmancer) to treatment as usual (TAU) on reducing impulsive behaviours and psychopathology in individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder (ED). METHOD: Thirty-seven patients diagnos...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Vintró Alcaraz, Cristina|||0000-0001-9453-8810, Mallorquí-Bagué, Núria|||0000-0003-1434-3162, Lozano Madrid, María|||0000-0003-3833-317X, Testa, Giulia|||0000-0003-4200-8062, Granero, Roser|||0000-0001-6308-3198, Sánchez Díaz, Isabel María|||0000-0001-5874-8204, Treasure, Janet|||0000-0003-0871-4596, Jiménez Murcia, Susana|||0000-0002-3596-8033, Fernández Aranda, Fernando|||0000-0002-2968-9898
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:301918
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/301918
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1002/erv.3003
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Eating disorders
Impulsivity
Psychopathology
Randomized clinical trial
Serious videogame
Impulsive Behavior
Pilot Projects
Humans
Video Games
Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to test the usefulness of an add-on serious video game approach (i.e., Playmancer) to treatment as usual (TAU) on reducing impulsive behaviours and psychopathology in individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder (ED). METHOD: Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with an ED according to the DSM-5 were included in the present randomized clinical trial (RCT; study record 35,405 in ClinicalTrials.gov) and were randomly assigned to either the TAU or TAU + Playmancer group. All participants completed a clinical interview. Impulsivity (UPPS-P self reported questionnaire and Stroop task) and general psychopathology (SCL-90-R) measures were assessed at: baseline, 4 weeks into treatment, at the end of TAU (after 16 weeks), and follow-up (2 years). In addition, patients in the experimental group underwent a total of nine sessions with Playmancer over the span of 3 weeks. RESULTS: Patients in both treatment groups (TAU + Playmancer or TAU) improved on Stroop task performance and psychological distress. Additionally, patients in TAU-Playmancer improved on the impulsive trait domain of lack of perseverance. No statistical differences were found regarding treatment outcomes (i.e., treatment adherence and remission of eating symptomatology) when comparing the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the impulsivity associated with EDs should be addressed and could be modified, as some facets of trait impulsivity improved after Playmancer add-on treatment. Yet, there were no significant differences in treatment outcomes when comparing the two groups and further research needs to be conducted.