This is a pilot study using game intervention as an adjuvant treatment, to evaluate the effect of the video game on anhedonia and associated functional change of brain in patients with depression. Participants will be randomized to Experimental group receiving a 8-week treatment of antidepressant drugs and game intervention, or Control group receiving a 8-week treatment of antidepressant drugs. Magnetic resonance imaging scanning and assessment of clinical characteristics and cognitive function were conducted before and after the intervention.
Depression is a serious mental health problem that affects millions of people globally. Anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, is the loss of pleasure or interest in enjoyable activities. The presence of anhedonia is a risk factor of poor outcome of depression. Although some patients reach remission after treatment, anhedonia still persists as a residual symptom. It is generally believed that the frontal-striatal pathway plays an important role in the reward system of brain in patients with depression. The mechanism of anhedonia is closely related to the function of the brain's reward system dopamine. There have been some research showed benefits of playing video games on brain. Video games can modulate negative emotions and increase positive feelings. Previous studies have confirmed that playing games will activate the release of dopamine in striatum. "Dancing Line" is a commercial music game. Participants need to change the direction of target according to the music by tapping the screen and manage to finish the routes and get the gems along the route as much as possible. Sometimes the view of participants would change during the game. The game is simple for participants to pick up and there is no need for prior gaming experience. The main purpose of the study is to explore the effect of game as an adjuvant treatment on anhedonia, depressive symptoms, cognitive function and associated functional change of brain in patients with depression.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) were most commonly used first line pharmacotherapy for depression.
Participants will be instructed to play the commercial video game for about 30-60 minutes at least three times per week.
The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
Changsha, China
Snaith-Hamilton-Pleasure Scale (SHAPES)
Pre-post assessment of anhedonia via the Snaith-Hamilton-Pleasure Scale (SHAPES). Raw score range is 14-56. A higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS)
Pre-post assessment of anhedonia via the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS). Raw score range is 20-120. A lower score indicates a worse outcome.
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD)
Pre-post assessment of depressive symptoms via Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD). Raw score range is 0-52. Higher scores indicate more severe depression.
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)
Pre-post assessment of cognitive function via Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
The Stroop test
Pre-post assessment of cognitive function via the Stroop test.
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)
Pre-post assessment of cognitive function via Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Rumination Responses Scale
Pre-post assessment of rumination via Rumination Responses Scale. Raw score range is 22-88. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.
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Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks
Magnetic Resonance Imaging data
Whole brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Time frame: From baseline to 8 weeks