Scientists at Oxford University have found that the popular computer game Tetris helps people deal with traumatic events by reducing the incidence of flashbacks. This effect, which may only occur with visuospatial games such as Tetris, may be used in therapy against post-traumatic stress disorder, the PLoS ONE journal reported.
"It's not wiping out the memory – it's just taking the edge off its intrusiveness," Emily Holmes, a clinical psychology researcher, was quoted as saying by New Scientist.
Flashbacks of traumatic events are common for soldiers who were involved in combat and for people who suffered serious physical injuries. According to statistics, people with posttraumatic stress disorder are more likely to become the victims of an accident or a disease.
