Effects of a video game intervention on symptoms, training motivation, and visuo-spatial memory in depression
By Moritz Bergmann, Ines Wollbrandt, Lisa Gittel, Eva Halbe, Sarah Mackert, Alexandra Philipsen, Silke Lux Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany, 2023
doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1173652
Methods: a total of 46 clinically depressed individuals were treatment including psychotherapy and/or randomly assigned to one of three groups: an experimental "3D video gaming" group (n = 14) which played Super Mario Odyssey, an active control group (n = 16) which trained with a computer program "CogPack," and a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group (n = 16) which received a standard clinical pharmacotherapy.
Results: regarding depressive symptoms, a significant decrease in the proportion of participants who showed clinical levels of depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory was only found in the 3D video gaming group (which played Super Mario Odyssey).
Conclusion: besides a standalone cognitive training, the current findings suggest that cognitive trainings using a video game have potential to increase subjective well-being, show higher levels of training motivation, and lead to improvements in visuo-spatial memory functions in MDD.
The proportion of participants that showed depressive symptoms (BDI-II β₯ 13) at pre- (T1) and post-assessment (T2). For Super Mario Odyssey, 100 at T1 and 57 at T2.
Note: information heavily abridged. For the full paper, see link above.
A 2023 German psychiatric study found that playing Super Mario Odyssey significantly improved depressive symptoms in clinically depressed individuals compared to regular psychotherapeutic treatment, reducing depression by 43%.
21.02.2026 18:24 β
π 1868
π 405
π¬ 25
π 62
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
01.02.2026 15:40 β
π 16707
π 4836
π¬ 93
π 73
Medford School Closed For 2nd Day After Suspected Norovirus Outbreak | WBZ NewsRadio 1030
A suspected stomach bug has cleared out an elementary school in Medford.
If you found the Roberts Elementary #Norovirus outbreak interesting, I recommend reading The Disease Detective!
(www.elysefritschel.com)
13.12.2025 02:17 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
Elyse Fritschel
OK HERE'S SOME AWESOME NEWS!! My old friend (seriously, we met in 5th grade) @elysethebeast.bsky.social's book The Disease Detectives is FINALLY OUT!! It's a microbiology mystery for middle-grade readers, teaching them the basics of epidemiology and disease tracking.
(con't)
www.elysefritschel.com
24.10.2025 17:28 β
π 7
π 4
π¬ 1
π 0
The cover for The Disease Detective by Elyse Fritshel announcing it's publication day.
Itβs Publication Day! Join in the search for an elusive germ in The Disease Detective, an exciting middle grade mystery by Elyse Fritschel. www.bedazzledink.com/the-disease-... #publicationday #kitlit #middlegradebooks
@elysethebeast.bsky.social
21.10.2025 14:58 β
π 2
π 1
π¬ 0
π 0
β
Watched Robot Dreams (again) on the 21st day of September :)
22.09.2025 00:06 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
Map of Regional Public Health Coalitions
Northeast Public Health Collaborative (Blue)
West Coast Health Alliance (Yellow)
IT'S OFFICIAL: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York City have formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative.
The collaborative will issue their own vaccine recommendations and coordinate public health efforts.
18.09.2025 15:50 β
π 22835
π 6813
π¬ 842
π 1371
Study shows high rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitalized Ukrainian refugees
More than 1 in 5 (21.2%) Ukrainian refugees/asylum seekers had clinical multidrug resistant (MDR) infections. The MDR infection rate was 45.5% among MDR carriers with war wounds.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobia...
24.07.2025 00:08 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
RFK Jr. says measles vaccine routinely causes deaths. That's not true
RFK Jr.'s claims on the safety of vaccine safety aren't backed by the data.
RFK Jr. misleads, deceives or simply lies when he claims the measles vaccine "routinely" causes deaths. IT DOES NOT.
@matthewherper.bsky.social lays out the facts.
www.statnews.com/2025/03/14/r...
14.03.2025 14:34 β
π 49
π 19
π¬ 0
π 2
βVaguely Threateningβ: Federal Prosecutor Queries Leading Medical Journal
The New England Journal of Medicine received a letter suggesting that it was biased and compromised by external pressure. Other journals have also received the letter.
Breaking News: A federal prosecutor interrogated the The New England Journal of Medicine β which is considered the worldβs most prestigious medical journal β in what its editor described as a βvaguely threateningβ letter.
25.04.2025 21:17 β
π 3293
π 1532
π¬ 210
π 177
Here we are, modelling data showing the impact that falls in vaccination rates will have on measles, rubella, diphtheria and polio in US.
Disease rates will rise, but measles predictably most affected by smallest drop off in vaccination rates. #IDSky #vaccination #vaccine
25.04.2025 22:52 β
π 8
π 2
π¬ 0
π 0
CDC cuts expected to devastate Epidemic Intelligence Service, a βcrown jewelβ of public health
Members of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service were warned Friday that many of them were about to be fired
In a reckless move that could put countless Americans at risk, CDC cuts are expected to devastate the Epidemic Intelligence Service, a βcrown jewelβ of public health EIS officers tasked with investigating disease outbreaks and health threats in the U.S. and abroad.
15.02.2025 02:23 β
π 4468
π 1881
π¬ 293
π 147
Trump administration directs federal health agencies to pause communications | CNN
Amid a deluge of executive actions, the Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to pause external communications, such as regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health a...
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/...
In effect through Feb 1:
-federal health agencies to pause external comms
-regulations/guidance/notices/social media/websites/press releases to be reviewed by a presidential appointee beforehand
-employees canβt participate in public speaking engagements w/o approval
22.01.2025 22:19 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
WHO comments on United States announcement of intent to withdraw
The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the worldβs people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHOβs work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.
With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.
We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.
WHO comments on United States announcement of intent to withdraw bit.ly/4hrbeJ7
21.01.2025 10:38 β
π 4853
π 1969
π¬ 251
π 282
Thinking of my coworkers in LA and beyondβ¦stay safe, all.
19.01.2025 20:28 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
New from Rock et al as part of the CDC Prevention Epicenters and MInD Programs
Electronic evaluation of infection risk from room environment and prior room occupants: the transmission from room environment events (TREE) measure
#IDSky
π: doi.org/10.1017/ice....
17.12.2024 15:34 β
π 5
π 1
π¬ 0
π 0
I cut off a few books (The Wide Wide Sea, The Design of Everyday Things, Ten Birds That Changed the World, and Level Up!), but hereβs what I read in 2024.
#goodreads #booksky
17.12.2024 16:44 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
Unknown disease kills 143 in southwest Congo, local authorities say
An unknown disease killed 143 people in Democratic Republic of the Congo's southwestern province in November, local authorities told Reuters.
π¨breaking newsπ¨
An unknown illness (with flu-like symptoms, including high fever and severe headaches) killed 143 individuals last month in DRCβs southwestern province
04.12.2024 18:10 β
π 0
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
Thank you! β€οΈ
27.11.2024 18:23 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
When IP, Graphic Design, and silliness collide
#IPSky #IDSky #MedSky
27.11.2024 17:51 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0
Great list - thanks for compiling! :)
27.11.2024 17:40 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 1
π 0
APIC member - try reaching out to some board members and other prominent folks in the field (e.g., Chaz Rhone, Maureen Spencer) for details/specifics. Their Legislative Committee is pretty active, too. :)
17.11.2024 00:20 β
π 1
π 0
π¬ 0
π 0