The Effects of Casual Videogames on Anxiety, Depression, Stress, and Low Mood: A Systematic Review.

Background: Despite the variety of available treatments for mental health symptoms, many individuals do not engage with treatment and among those who do, dropout rates are often high. Therefore, providing alternative opportunities to access treatment is imperative. Research interest in the therapeutic effects of digital mental health initiatives and serious games has grown in recent years, but the potential of simple, easy-to-use casual videogames (CVGs) that can be played in short bursts of time has seldom been considered. Objective: The objective of the present study is to provide a systematic review of the literature examining the effects of CVGs on treating anxiety, depression, stress, and low mood. Method: A systematic search was conducted, using the terms (casual gam* or casual videogam* or mini gam* or minigam* or mini-gam* or gamif*) and (mental health or anx* or depress* or stress or mood) and (study or trial or treatment or prescribed or prevention) as "Title," "Abstracts," "Keywords," or "Topic" words across all years. A Google search was also completed to check for articles that may have been missed. Results: N = 13 studies met inclusion criteria (no studies were added via the Google search). These studies reported findings for nine different CVGs, with six studies aimed at reducing anxiety, two examining effects for depression, and four investigating the effects of CVGs on treating stress or low mood. Promising effects were identified. Conclusion: CVGs may have promise for treating anxiety, depression, stress, and low mood.

Parental Knowledge Influenced the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Sociodramatic Play on Diarrheal Preventive Behavior in School-Age Children.

Healthy and clean living behaviors among school-aged children are still relatively low in Indonesia, exposing them to the risk of experiencing health problems in the future, such as diarrhea. This school-age period is actually the earliest phase in which children can develop healthy behaviors, hence making this phase a strategic target for health improvements. School-aged children are in a period of concrete operational development and they require specific health education methods that can reflect real and interactive experiences. The aim of the study was to determine the most influential factors to effectiveness therapeutic sociodramatic play on diarrheal preventive behaviors among school-aged children (6-12 years). The study design was quasi-experimental with pre- and post-tests, involving 102 school-age children who were divided into an intervention group and control group. Multistage random sampling was used to determine the research area and school where the research was conducted, while the research subject was selected using simple random sampling. The results showed that parental knowledge had a significant effect on therapeutic sociodramatic play improving students' knowledge (p = 0.001), attitudes (p = 0.004), and diarrheal prevention skills (p = 0.003). Therapeutic sociodramatic play will be more effective when followed by good parental knowledge. The study recommends that therapeutic sociodramatic play could be applied in an effort to enhance healthy and clean living behaviors and to prevent diarrhea among school-aged children, and it could be integrated into school nursing services.

Virtual Reality and Avatars in Health care.

The editorial summarizes the evolution of virtual reality and its application in a variety of healthcare contexts to improve nursing education, research, and clinical practice. The use of digital avatars in conjunction with virtual reality systems is also discussed, along with the benefits and risks of this emerging technology.

Construção de jogos educativo-pedagógicos para pessoa idosa: uma abordagem de estimulação cognitiva e interação social / Construction of educational-pedagogical games for the elderly: a cognitive stimulation and social interaction

Que a conclusão do estudo traga implicações reflexivas sobre a importância e os efeitos da construção e da utilização dos jogos educativopedagógicos, na cognição e interação social dos idosos. Além de confirmar ser uma forma de estimular o desempenho dos integrantes, ampliar o repertório de atividades, melhorar a qualidade de vida e consequentemente promover a saúde e a sua prevenção

Repercussões da clownterapia no processo de hospitalização da criança / Repercusiones de la clownterapia en proceso de hospitalización de niño / Effects of clown therapy in the child's hospitalization process

Objective: To know the effects of clown therapy in the child's hospitalization. Method: Descriptive exploratory study with qualitative approach, carried out from August to September 2012 with the nursing staff of a pediatric hospital in the city of Cajazeiras, PB, Brazil. Results: The main problems inherent to the hospitalization process, in the view of nursing professionals, consisted in changing the natural environment of the child and the length of stay in the hospital. Among the modifications caused by clown therapy, we identified the spontaneous bonding between the nursing staff, children and their respective guardians, facilitating the understanding and their cooperation in all stages of care. Conclusion: Clown therapy was proved to be a facilitator of specific nursing practices and in the individual and collective aspect of hospitalized children, bringing them the prospect of health promotion.

Objetivo: Analisar as repercussões da Clownterapia no processo de hospitalização da criança. Método: Estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido no período de agosto a setembro de 2012 junto à equipe de Enfermagem de hospital pediátrico do município de Cajazeiras, PB. Resultados: Os principais problemas inerentes ao processo de hospitalização da criança, na ótica dos profissionais de enfermagem, consistiram na mudança do ambiente natural da criança e no tempo de permanência no hospital. Dentre as modificações dadas a partir da Clownterapia, notou-se a formação espontânea de vínculos entre a equipe de enfermagem, as crianças e seus respectivos responsáveis, facilitando a compreensão e colaboração destes em todas as etapas do cuidar. Conclusão: A Clownterapia mostra-se como facilitadora das práticas específicas da enfermagem no aspecto individual e coletivo das crianças hospitalizadas, trazendo a perspectiva de promoção da saúde para estes sujeitos.

Objetivo: Conocer las repercusiones de Clownterapia en proceso de hospitalización de niño. Método: Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, cualitativo, desarrollado de agosto a septiembre de 2012 con el equipo de enfermería del hospital pediátrico de Cajazeiras-PB, Brasil. Resultados: Los principales problemas inherentes a la hospitalización, a juicio de los profesionales de enfermería, consistieron en cambiar el entorno natural del niño y la duración de la estancia en el hospital. Entre las modificaciones dadas por la Clownterapia, se observó la formación espontánea de los lazos entre el personal de enfermería, los niños y sus respectivos responsables, lo que facilita la comprensión y cooperación de éstos en las etapas de la atención. Conclusión: La Clownterapia aparece como facilitadora de prácticas específicas de la enfermería y en el aspecto individual y colectivo de niños hospitalizados, presentándose la perspectiva de la promoción de la salud para estos sujetos.

Estudio piloto sobre la implementación de un programa lúdico en el contexto escolar para la estimulación del lenguaje / Pilot study of the implementation of an educational play-based program for language stimulation in the school setting

En el presente estudio se ha diseñado y aplicado un programa lúdico-educativo con el fin de estimular el lenguaje de niños de último curso de educación infantil con y sin dificultad específica. Este programa pretende responder a la necesidad de herramientas en el aula que, de forma atractiva y dinámica, actúen sobre las dificultades que pueden aparecer durante el desarrollo del lenguaje oral de los niños. Para ello, se empleó un diseño pre-post con una muestra de 25 alumnos de tercer curso de educación infantil. Las evaluaciones se realizaron a través de un registro de observación del lenguaje y de la Prueba de lenguaje oral de Navarra revisada. Las actividades del programa lúdico están basadas en el juego dirigido y se centran en aspectos como la atención, el reconocimiento visual, la lateralidad, el ritmo y la fluidez del habla, la discriminación auditiva, etc. Su duración ha sido de un mes, con 2 sesiones semanales de 45 min. Los resultados reflejan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la mayoría de las variables objeto de intervención. Si bien se trata de un estudio piloto, los resultados parecen apoyar la utilidad de intervenciones breves de tipo lúdico-educativo aplicadas a nivel grupal en el contexto escolar para la estimulación del lenguaje (AU)

In the present study, an educational play-based program was designed and implemented to stimulate the language of children with or without specific difficulties in the last year of primary education. This program aimed to respond to the need for dynamic tools in the classroom to correct difficulties that may arise during the development of children's oral language. To do this, a pre-post design was used with a sample of 25 students in their third year of primary education. Evaluations were performed by the Revised Navarre oral language test and an observational procedure specifically designed for this study. The program's activities were based on directed play and focused on aspects such as attention, visual recognition, laterality, rhythm and fluency of speech, auditory discrimination, etc. The program lasted for 1 month with two weekly sessions of 45 min each.Statistically significant differences were found in most of the variables. Although this was a pilot study, the results seem to support the usefulness of brief interventions for language stimulation applied at the group level in schools (AU)

O Brinquedo Terapêutico e o lúdico na visão da equipe de enfermagem / The Therapeutic Toy and playful in the vision of nursing team

Objetivo - Identificar os benefícios do Brinquedo Terapêutico de acordo com a visão da equipe de enfermagem. Métodos - Estudo qualitativo e descritivo, que teve como universo uma unidade pediátrica de um hospital de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais - Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com duas enfermeiras e três técnicas de enfermagem. Resultados - As transcrições das falas deram origem a seis categorias. Notou-se que o Brinquedo Terapêutico ainda é pouco utilizado na unidade pesquisada e o setor que mais o desenvolve é a escolinha do hospital. Todos os entrevistados relataram que o uso do Brinquedo Terapêutico promove aumento do vínculo e da comunicação entre a equipe e a criança, tornando a hospitalização menos traumatizante, permitindo que ela verbalize todos os seus medos e sentimentos. Notou-se que a maior parte dos pesquisados não teve contato com a prática do Brinquedo Terapêutico durante o período de formação profissional e que o conhecimento sobre esta foi construído, principalmente, por meio de leituras de artigos científicos após já estarem atuando na pediatria. Relatou-se que faltam recursos necessários para realização das atividades lúdicas, assim como profissionais capacitados. Conclusão - Conclui-se que o Brinquedo Terapêutico deve fazer parte da rotina da pediatria, pois promove tratamento mais eficaz e de qualidade para a criança hospitalizada.

Objective - To identify the benefits of a Therapeutic Toy according to the nursing team's vision. Methods - Descriptive and qualitative study, which had as a pediatric unit of a universe hospital in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais-Brazil. The data were collected through interview semistructured with two nurses and three nursing techniques. Results - The speech transcriptions have resulted in six categories. It was noted that the Therapeutic Toy is still little used in that sector and searched unit plus the develops is the hospital school. All respondents reported that the use of Therapeutic Toy promotes increased bond and communication between the team and the child, making the hospital less traumatic, allowing her to verbalize all your fears and feelings. It was noted that the majority of those surveyed did not have contact with the practice of therapeutic toy during the period of vocational training and the knowledge of this was built, primarily, through readings of scientific articles after they are already acting in pediatrics. It was reported that lack of resources needed for carrying out the fun activities as well as trained professionals. Conclusion - It is concluded that Therapeutic Toy should be part of the routine of pediatrics, because it promotes more effective and high-quality treatment for children in hospital.

Motivación psicológica en los juegos de rol online: un estudio de jugadores españoles del World of Warcraft / Psychological motivation in online role-playing games: A study of Spanish World of Warcraft players

La popularidad de los videojuegos ha aumentado considerablemente en los últimos años, convirtiéndose en uno de los mayores productos de ocio siendo los Juegos de Rol Online (MMORPGs) uno de los mayores exponentes; sin embargo, también ha aumentado la sospecha y alarma social de que puedan poseer cierto potencial adictivo enmarcado en el contexto de las adicciones conductuales o que los usuarios puedan desarrollar conductas desadaptativas entorno a esta tecnología. El objetivo del presente estudio evalúa las motivaciones psicológicas para jugar al al World of Warcraft (WoW) y las relaciona con variables sociodemográficas y estilos de juego. Se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar diferentes motivaciones online a un colectivo de jugadores de WoW. A partir de una muestra final de 253 jugadores españoles (hombres jóvenes) el análisis factorial mostró la presencia de cuatro motivos de juego: socialización, exploración, logro y disociación. Además, los jugadores españoles, preferían el entorno Jugador contar Jugador, un aspecto que parece prevenir las potenciales consecuencias negativas al impedir el juego solitario. Los resultados indican que una de las motivaciones más importantes es la socialización y el estilo de Jugador contra Jugador, lo cual indica en gran parte el uso de este juego se hace de forma psicológicamente adaptativo (AU)

The popularity of playing videogames has increased considerably during the last few decades, and has become one of the most popular leisure activities worldwide. Some of the most popular game types are the Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). However, there has also been increased suspicion and social alarm that these games may possess an addictive potential, similar to other behavioural addictions, and that the user may develop maladaptive behaviours with respect to these games. The purpose of the present study was to assess the psychological motivations of playing World of Warcraft (WoW) and to relate them to sociodemographic variables and gaming styles. A questionnaire for assessing these motivations was developed and applied online to a collective of games. The final sample comprised 253 Spanish WoW players (all young males). Factor analysis of the questionnaire scores showed the presence of four motivations for gaming: socialisation, exploration, achievement, and dissociation. Results indicated that socialisation was one of the main motivational factors and that the gamers preferred the Player-versus-Player environment. Both of these aspects appear to be factors that may prevent potentially negative outcomes by inhibiting solitary play (AU)

Oficina de Confecção de brinquedos de sucatas na comunidade, para crianças assistidas pelo Programa Saúde da Família e Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família que residem em áreas de alta vulnerabilidade próximas à UBS Vila Dionísia

Relato de uma experiência que vem sendo realizada, pela Equipe Saúde da Família bucal e o Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da família, na comunidade de famílias assistidas pelo PSF. Os grupos surgiram diante de uma demanda muito grande de crianças sem atividade extraescolares, moradoras em áreas de alta vulnerabilidade. O incentivo a essas crianças a brincar trouxe de volta à comunidade um jeito diferente de ver aquelas crianças. Criança que é criança brinca, criança que não brinca não está bem. O brincar auxilia no desenvolvimento motor, cognitivo e sócio – afetivo da criança. Na comunidade, a coleta seletiva é precária, então aproveitamos isto e iniciamos a construção de brinquedos a partir de material reciclável ajudando na conscientização da importância de reciclar/reaproveitar ajudando nosso planeta.

Oficina de Confecção de brinquedos de sucatas na comunidade, para crianças assistidas pelo Programa Saúde da Família e Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família que residem em áreas de alta vulnerabilidade próximas à UBS Vila Dionísia / Workshop Production of toys scraps in the community for children assisted by the Family Health Program and Support Center for Family Health residing in areas of high vulnerability to the next village Dionysia UBS

Relato de uma experiência que vem sendo realizada, pela Equipe Saúde da Família bucal e o Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da família, na comunidade de famílias assistidas pelo PSF. Os grupos surgiram diante de uma demanda muito grande de crianças sem atividade extraescolares, moradoras em áreas de alta vulnerabilidade. O incentivo a essas crianças a brincar trouxe de volta à comunidade um jeito diferente de ver aquelas crianças. Criança que é criança brinca, criança que não brinca não está bem. O brincar auxilia no desenvolvimento motor, cognitivo e sócio – afetivo da criança. Na comunidade, a coleta seletiva é precária, então aproveitamos isto e iniciamos a construção de brinquedos a partir de material reciclável ajudando na conscientização da importância de reciclar/reaproveitar ajudando nosso planeta.(AU)

Retos de futuro en el tratamiento del juego patológico / Challenge in the treatment for pathological gambling

En este artículo se señalan los principales avances y los retos de futuro en el tratamiento de la ludopatía. Los instrumentos de evaluación del juego patológico actualmente disponibles, específicos (autoinformes, como el SOGS, o entrevistas clínicas, como el NODS) o más generales, como el ASI referido a la ludopatía, son aún muy limitados. Los estudios referidos a la terapia del juego patológico prueban que este cuadro clínico responde bien a los tratamientos ofertados, con unas tasas de éxito entre el 50% y el 80% de los casos tratados en un seguimiento a largo plazo. En concreto, la terapia de elección parece ser el control de estímulos y la exposición en vivo con prevención de respuesta, seguida por una intervención cognitivo-conductual en prevención de recaídas. La terapia psicofarmacológica puede ser complementaria cuando los pacientes tienen un estado de ánimo deprimido o un elevado nivel de impulsividad. El juego controlado puede ser una alternativa terapéutica para los jugadores jóvenes o que no presentan aún una dependencia severa. Se requiere aún más información sobre las mujeres jugadoras y sobre los programas terapéuticos más específicos para ellas. Se comentan las implicaciones de esta revisión para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras en este campo, así como las limitaciones actualmente existentes

This paper deals with the new developments in the treatment for pathological gambling, as well as with the challenges for further research. Assessment tools currently available, such as self-reports (SOGS or ASI) or clinical interviews (NODS) have many limitations. Reviewed studies about treatment of pathological gambling show that this disorder improves significantly with proposed therapies, with a success rate ranging from 50% to 80% of treated patients in a long-term follow-up. However, the choice treatment appears to be stimulus control and in vivo exposure with response prevention, followed by a cognitive-behavioral intervention in relapse prevention. Psychopharmacological therapy may have incremental benefit when patients have comorbid depression or high impulsivity. Responsible gambling may be a therapeutic option for young gamblers or people without a severe dependence. Further information is required about women gamblers and about the most convenient programs for them. The relevance of this review for clinical practice and future research in this field, as well as the unsolved problems, are commented upon

Para uma história do presente do brincar e das práticas em saùde / For a history of the present of playing and health practices / Para una historia del presente, del jugar y de las prácticas en salud

O objetivo deste estudo é refletir sobre a necessidade de fazer uma aproximação histórico-discursiva para contextualizar e analisar criticamente os discursos e as práticas hospitalares e de enfermagem relacionadas aos espaços para o brincar nas enfermarias pediátricas nos hospitais. O Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente promulgado por Lei Federal em 1990 é um documento norteador de uma nova visão, ligada ao campo da infância e da juventude. Dentre as conseqüências do ECA, está a de estabelecer um modo diferente do adulto se relacionar com as crianças e, que os efeitos sobre os cuidados em saúde, deveriam supor e concretizar mudanças e transformações no cotidiano hospitalar. Tentamos mostrar a necessidade de problematizar e contextualizar como o nosso cotidiano hospitalar está determinado por discursividades que operam silenciosamente. Para resistir aos efeitos destes dispositivos, as práticas da saúde e as de enfermagem devem ser repensadas e retificadas nos seus respectivos dispositivos disciplinares.

The purpose of this study is to reflect on the need to perform a historical-discursive approach to contextualize and analyze in a critical way hospital and nursing discourses and practices related to spaces to play in pediatric infirmaries at hospitals. The Statute of the Children and Adolescents, made into a Federal Law in 1990, is a document that guides a new vision concerning the field of childhood and youth. Among the consequences of the ECA, there is the establishment of a different mode for the adult to relate with children, and that the effects on healthcare should assume and effect changes and transformations in the hospital scenario. We have tried to show the need to problematize and contextualize how our hospital scenario is determined by discourses that operate silently. In order to resist to the effects of such devices, health and nursing practices should be rethought and rectified in their respective disciplinary devices.

El objetivo de este trabajo es reflexionar sobre la necesidad de hacer una aproximación histórico-discursiva para contextualizar y analizar críticamente los discursos y las prácticas hospitalarias y de enfermería relacionadas a los espacios para el jugar en las salas de internación de pediatría en los hospitales. El Estatuto del Niño y del Adolescente promulgado por Ley Nacional en 1990 es un documento que indica el camino para una nueva visión relacionada al campo de la infancia y de la juventud. Entre las consecuencias del ECA, está la de establecer una forma diferente de relación entre el adulto y el niño y que los efectos sobre los cuidados de la salud deberían suponer concretizar cambios y transformaciones del cotidiano hospitalario. Intentamos mostrar la necesidad de problematizar y contextualizar cómo nuestro cotidiano hospitalario está determinado por discursos que operan silenciosamente. Para resistir a los efectos de estos dispositivos, las prácticas de salud y de enfermería se deben repensar y rectificar en sus respectivos dispositivos disciplinarios.

[For a history of the present of playing and health practices]. / Para uma história do presente do brincar e das práticas em saúde.

The purpose of this study is to reflect on the need to perform a historical-discursive approach to contextualize and analyze in a critical way hospital and nursing discourses and practices related to spaces to play in pediatric infirmaries at hospitals. The Statute of the Children and Adolescents, made into a Federal Law in 1990, is a document that guides a new vision concerning the field of childhood and youth. Among the consequences of the ECA, there is the establishment of a different mode for the adult to relate with children, and that the effects on healthcare should assume and effect changes and transformations in the hospital scenario. We have tried to show the need to problematize and contextualize how our hospital scenario is determined by discourses that operate silently. In order to resist to the effects of such devices, health and nursing practices should be rethought and rectified in their respective disciplinary devices.

Conocimientos y expectativas sobre la hospitalización en escolares de Córdoba, en el ámbito rural # / Knowledges and hopes about hospitalization in a rural area of Cordoba schoolchildren´s population

Fundamento: La edad pediátrica constituye un grupo de población especialmente vulnerable al estrés de la hospitalización. Al niño hospitalizado es necesario proporcionarle junto a los cuidados sanitarios, atención psicológica y educativa.Método: Se realiza un estudio de corte transversal de conocimientos y expectativas sobre la hospitalización en escolares de la provincia de Córdoba, en medio rural, mediante cuestionario.Resultados: Participaron niños de 8 a 13 años, de 4 colegios (n =279). El análisis de los datos obtenidos muestra que el nivel de conocimientos de los escolares resultó insuficiente, con puntuación media de 4,4 sobre 10. Dan gran importancia a los cuidados y la atención (44,8 por ciento de los niños) y a la visita de familiares y amigos (44,08 por ciento). Consideraron lo mejor del Hospital el mimo y los cuidados (37,99 por ciento) y la curación más rápida (17,92 por ciento); lo peor, el dolor y la enfermedad (17,56 por ciento) y las comidas-instalaciones-ruidos (17,20 por ciento). Para la mayoría de los niños el hospital es "aburrido" (54,48 por ciento) y "no se juega" (30,11 por ciento).Conclusiones: necesidad de incrementar y estructurar la actividad ludopedagógica y reforzar el aspecto psico-social de la atención hospitalaria en la edad pediátrica, necesidad de adaptar el hospital a las necesidades del niño (AU)

The development of play for children in hospitals: British and European perspectives.

Play in hospitals has developed alongside of changes toward a more family-centered model of care. The recreational and educational role of play has been significantly extended toward a therapeutic purpose. This article considers the relationships between play workers and teachers, nurses and parents, and presents some European examples of the use of play in hospitals. Finally, problems encountered in the operation of play programs are discussed in the context of ensuring the viability of play in the hospital.

Future of play in health care settings.

This article examines aspects of play within a variety of health care settings in order to see the impact and changes in play anticipated in the future. The future of play in inpatient units, ambulatory units, and home settings will be described. The role of the adult who plans the play activities in each of these settings, as well as the role of toys, will be discussed.