Digital Game Interventions for Youth Mental Health Services (Gaming My Way to Recovery): Protocol for a Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services. Objective The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed? Methods Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both. Results The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination. Conclusions Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13834

Gaming My Way to Recovery: A Systematic Scoping Review of Digital Game Interventions for Young People's Mental Health Treatment and Promotion

“…Scoping review methodology was chosen as best suited to knowledge synthesis involving an array of evidence, publication types and research approaches. The five-stage methodological framework for scoping reviews by Arksey and O'Malley ( 63 ) was used in developing the study protocol (IRRID: PRR1-10.2196/13834) ( 64 ) and search strategy. An additional consultation stage ( 65 ) was added to the framework so that insights about the research could be gathered from partners (youth mental health services) and knowledge users (youth experiencing mental health problems).…”

“…The stepped care model, used increasingly to guide clinical practice and evaluate complex interventions in community-based mental health programs ( 67 – 69 ), was chosen as the conceptual framework for the study. Model 1, published in the “gaming my way to recovery” protocol ( 64 ), presents an adapted version of the traditional stepped care model for categorizing target populations and mental health conditions. This model organizes mental health, mental conditions and illness according to four levels of mental health condition severity (or steps), from at-risk groups or those with suspected mental health problems (Step 1), mild-moderate mental health conditions (Steps 2-3), combining mild and moderate levels of severity that are not always easy to disaggregate, to severe mental illness (Step 4).…”

“…Members of mental health services participated in the design of this scoping review project which led to the development of the published protocol ( 64 ). Project team members included service providers and researchers from Canada, Australia, and Denmark, who represented several international youth mental health networks (ACCESS Open Minds, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, Frayme, Orygen, and the Black Dog Institute).…”

Does group size and blending matter? Impact of a digital mental health game implemented with refugees in various settings

“…Digital games are accessed by millions of adolescents around the world and serve as learning tools that provide immediate feedback on players’ actions and encouragement for continued learning (American Psychological Association, 2013). Digital games can enhance MH and decrease stigma, by employing unique, experiential and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players (Ferrari et al , 2020; World Health Organization, 2018). Further, PSS interventions adapted using cutting-edge digital game technology can assist youth in developing adaptive coping skills under displacement conditions.…”

Rationale and validation of a novel mobile application probing motor inhibition: Proof of concept of CALM-IT

“…Clinical researchers are well poised to harness new technologies to increases access, enhance developmental approaches, and assess transdiagnostic behavioral mechanisms underlying psychopathology [53,54]. Efforts to translate this work to clinical settings is crucial as providing clinicians with tools to directly probe behavioral mechanisms could lead towards increased precision medicine, patient engagement, and cost-effectiveness [55][56][57]. However, application of these innovations in clinical settings is lagging [53,54].…”