Can Playing Tetris Help Prevent Mental Health Problems in Migrants?

This research examines whether playing Tetris—a simple, classic video game—can help prevent or reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in people who have migrated and applied for asylum. Researchers will follow 300 participants in Greece and the Netherlands over one year, asking them to complete brief mental health surveys every four weeks. Half of the participants will be randomly selected to play Tetris for at least 15 minutes while thinking about difficult things that have happened to them, either at three scheduled times or whenever they experience traumatic memories.

Many people who migrate and seek asylum experience significant trauma, anxiety, and depression related to their experiences. This trial explores whether a simple, accessible tool like playing Tetris shortly after traumatic events might interrupt how the brain processes those memories and reduce the long-term emotional harm.