Game to boost psychological resilience after major life stress
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact of a Game-based Intervention in Promoting Positive Affectivity and Enhancing Psychological Resilience
This trial will try a 10-day game-based program to see if it increases positive emotions and improves mental health in adults who experienced major life stress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 23 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07235696 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults who speak Cantonese or Mandarin and report a major life stress in the past five years will be randomly assigned to a game-based intervention, a psychoeducation active control, or a waitlist control. Participants will complete their assigned 10-day program within two weeks and finish psychological assessments immediately after the program and again at three months. Researchers will compare changes in positive affectivity and broader mental health outcomes across groups and test whether changes in positive affectivity help explain any mental health benefits. The design uses random assignment and both active and waitlist controls to separate specific effects of the game from general engagement or time-related improvements.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin with at least one major life stress in the past five years, normal or corrected vision and hearing, and no formal diagnosis of major psychiatric illness or recent medications affecting mood or cognition.
Not a fit: People with major psychiatric diagnoses, recent use of psychotropic medications, major neurological or physical illness, pregnancy, a history of suicidal behavior, or prior experience with similar commercial computer repair simulation games may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the game could provide a low-cost, scalable way to increase positive emotions and resilience after major life stress, potentially reducing stress-related symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Prior digital and game-based positive-psychology interventions have shown modest improvements in mood and resilience in some studies, but evidence is still emerging and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * fluency in oral and written Cantonese or Mandarin; * having experienced at least one major life stress in the recent 5 years (assessed by the Life Stress Index); * normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. Exclusion Criteria: * formal diagnosis of any major psychiatric illnesses or history of suicidal behaviour; * major physical illness, neurological condition or traumatic brain injury; * Intake of medication within the previous 6 months that may affect emotion or cognitive functions; * pregnancy (for women); * prior experience with any commercial computer repair simulation game.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- The University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Associate Professor, Principle Investigator
- Email: rshao@hku.hk
- Phone: +852-3917-8927
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.