Playing Tetris can help tackle memories of trauma - study finds

chroniclelive.co.uk · Feb 19, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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NHS healthcare workers who played the classic computer game as part of their treatment experienced 10 times fewer trauma flashbacks, researchers saidStorm Newton Press Association Health Reporter09:39, 19 Feb 2026Playing Tetris could help reduce distressing memories of trauma, a trial has found. Healthcare professionals who played the iconic computer game as part of their treatment experienced fewer flashbacks, researchers said.‌Experts are now hoping to test the method, which they describe as "accessible, scalable and adaptable", on a larger group of people. The trial, conducted by researchers in the UK and Sweden, included 99 NHS staff exposed to trauma at work – such as witnessing deaths – during the Covid-19 pandemic.‌Some 40 patients were given the treatment which involved playing Tetris, known as imagery competing task intervention (ICTI).‌The group were asked to play a slow version of the classic game whilst briefly recalling a traumatic memory. They were then asked to use their mind's eye to imagine the Tetris grid and visualise the blocks.The ICTI method is thought to weaken the vividness of the intrusive memories by occupying the brain's visuospatial areas, which help it to analyse and understand physical space.Emily Holmes, a professor of psychology at Uppsala University – who led the study, said: "Even a single, fleeting intrusive memory of past trauma can exert a powerful impact in daily life by hijacking attention and leaving people at the mercy of unwanted and intrusive emotions.‌"By weakening the intrusive aspect of these sensory memories via this brief visual intervention, people experience fewer trauma images flashing back."The remaining patients either listened to Mozart's music to help reduce stress, along with podcasts about the composer, or received standard treatment.The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, discovered that those who underwent the ICTI treatment experienced 10 times fewer flashbacks compared to other groups within a four-week period.‌After six months, approximately 70% reported having no intrusive memories whatsoever. The treatment also assisted in addressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Prof Holmes commented: "We are delighted to have made a real breakthrough by showing this intervention works."It is far more than just playing Tetris, and while it is simple to use, it's been a complicated process to refine and develop. The intervention focuses on our mental imagery, not words, and is designed to be as gentle, brief and practical as possible to fit into people's busy lives.‌"We hope to expand our research so it can be put into practise by determining its effectiveness for a broader range of people and scenarios."Charlotte Summers, director of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute and professor of intensive care medicine at the University of Cambridge, stated: "Every day, healthcare workers across the world are recurrently exposed, to traumatic events in the course of their work, impacting the mental and physical wellbeing of those who care for us when we are unwell."At a time when global healthcare systems remain under intense pressure, the discovery of a scalable digital intervention that promotes the wellbeing of health professionals experiencing work-related traumatic events is an exciting step forward."‌The research team is now examining methods to trial ICTI across larger and more varied populations, whilst also considering possibilities for a non-guided version of the game.Tayla McCloud, research lead for digital mental health at Wellcome – which funded the study, said: "These results are impressive for such a simple to use intervention."If we can get similarly strong results in bigger trials, this could have an enormous impact.‌"It's rare to see something so accessible, scalable and adaptable across contexts. It doesn't require patients to put their trauma into words and even transcends language barriers."This study is a key example of why Wellcome is investing in a wide range of mental health interventions, so that in the future everyone will have access to treatments that work for them."Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here's more information about what this means and how to do it - you can also do it straight away by clicking here.Article continues belowTo find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your North East community, visit the Public Notices Portal.