New study suggests tabletop games reduce stress and anxiety
New study suggests tabletop games reduce stress and anxiety
New study suggests tabletop games reduce stress and anxiety
By Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
December 2, 2022
Summary
In this first-of-its-kind research project, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology partnered with The Bodhana Group to run an exploratory study on whether intentionally introduced cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered through the medium of Tabletop Role Playing Game groups, could positively affect social skills, reduce anxiety symptoms and behaviors, and enhance the mental well-being of participants.
On average, the data collected from five different TTRPG groups over the course of 10 months suggests that TTRPGs, both as a casual form of entertainment and modified for cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce general anxiety, reduce social anxiety, and improve social skills.
The study, "Exploring the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy and role-playing games as an intervention for adults with social anxiety," appears in the journal Social Work with Groups.
Research has been done on the therapeutic benefits of tabletop role-playing games for social skills and mental well-being the available data is qualitative and anecdotal without supporting quantitative data or mental health screening.
More research is required, and The Bodhana Group hopes to continue this research with additional participants over a similar or longer period.
The hope is that this research encourages other institutions to follow similarly robust research methodologies to add to the pool of qualitative and quantitative data.
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Reference
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. (2022, December 2). New study suggests tabletop games reduce stress and anxiety. Medical Xpress - medical research advances and health news. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-12-tabletop-games-stress-anxiety.html