Playing Tetris to improve mental health in migrants

Does Playing Tetris Prevent the Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Related Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms During and After Migration?

Not applicable Interventional Tilburg University · NCT06773338

This study is testing if playing Tetris can help immigrants who have applied for asylum feel less anxious and depressed and prevent PTSD.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorTilburg University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (The Hague, NL and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06773338 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether playing Tetris can help prevent the onset of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alleviate related anxiety and depressive symptoms among immigrants who have applied for asylum. A total of 300 participants from Greece and the Netherlands will be recruited, and they will complete questionnaires on PTSD, anxiety, and depression every four weeks for three months. Half of the participants will be randomly assigned to play Tetris for at least 15 minutes after completing the questionnaires, while the other half will not receive any intervention. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of this gaming intervention in improving mental health outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Arabic-speaking immigrants of any gender who have applied for asylum in Greece or the Netherlands.

Not a fit: Patients who are minors or do not speak Arabic may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a simple and accessible method for improving mental health among migrants facing trauma.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of gaming for mental health interventions is gaining interest, this specific approach using Tetris is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 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).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Minors (under the age of 18).

Where this trial is running

The Hague, NL and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Post-traumatic Stress DisorderAnxiety SymptomsDepression SymptomsPost-traumatic stress disorderPTSDAnxietyDepressionRefugees
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.