Acceptability of a Plasticity-Focused Serious Game Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: User Requirements Analysis

This study evaluates the feasibility and user requirements for a mobile-based, plasticity-focused serious game designed to support trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Given that traditional TF-CBT experiences high attrition and variable response rates, the research explores whether a digital intervention targeting frontomedial neural circuitry can improve patient outcomes. The primary objective was to assess the acceptability of such a tool among both service users and clinical professionals.

The methodology involved qualitative data collection through two one-to-one interviews and two focus groups conducted in the United Kingdom during 2017. The sample consisted of nine participants: five service users with a PTSD diagnosis and four trauma service clinicians. The study utilized a semi-structured topic guide to explore mobile phone usage, existing coping strategies, and preferences regarding the game’s audiovisual design and clinical integration.

Key findings indicate that the concept is highly acceptable to both patients and clinicians. Participants emphasized that the game should be therapist-guided rather than used independently to ensure safety and efficacy. Regarding design, both groups favored an abstract or cartoon-like aesthetic for the virtual environment to minimize the risk of triggering trauma-related symptoms. Specific environmental features, such as natural landscapes with water and greenery, were identified as desirable, while realistic depictions of combat-related settings were deemed inappropriate. The study concludes that a well-designed, clinician-prescribed game could enhance self-efficacy and provide meaningful support for patients on waiting lists. Future research will focus on testing a prototype, known as the Hippocampal and Prefrontal Plasticity Inducement Application (HAPPIA), through a randomized controlled trial to measure its clinical impact.