To help people focus in an increasingly distracting world, a research team came up with a surprisingly simple game that starts by reducing anxiety.
Such brain-training games exist in abundance, although the US-based research team says no proof of their effectiveness exists.
Yet they managed to demonstrate that their own game -- which involves identifying shapes -- kept players focused and reduced their anxiety.
"Down the line we could roll out an online or mobile game based on this research that specifically targets distraction and helps people stay focused and feel less anxious," says lead author Jason Moser, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Michigan State University.
Springboarding on the idea that anxious individuals are easily distracted by objects that stand out from others like them, the research team's game almost ironically requires paying attention to such objects.
In the study, Moser and his team compared participating players of opposing anxiety levels as they performed a focus task.
Identifying a designated shape in a series of shapes that had one common aspect -- such as color, for example -- seemed to increase their focus.
To test whether this was true, the research team tasked them with a distracting exercise in which shapes of different colors joined the sequence.
Players were not distracted by this exercise despite the fact that it was designed exactly for that purpose, according to Moser, who credits the focus task.
"There have been other studies of video game-type interventions for anxiety," says Moser, "but none have used a specific and simple game that targets distraction."
The study was published in the journal Behavior Therapy.
While the game has yet to become available on the commercial market, anxious individuals are commonly advised to meditate.
Mounting evidence indicates the practice not only reduces anxiety, it sharpens the mind.
A 2013 study published in the journal Mindfulness involving students demonstrated that meditating before class leads to higher grades.
"I think that if mindfulness can improve mental clarity, focus and self-discipline, then it might be useful in a variety of settings and for a variety of goals," says study co-author Jared Ramsburg of George Mason University.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Fri Aug 14 2015
![Scientists develop a game to reduce anxiety, enhance concentration Scientists develop a game to reduce anxiety, enhance concentration](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-08/71439523305_GAME.jpg)
An image from the new brain training game that scientists claim really works. - Michigan State University
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
Penemuan takungan air, saintis percaya wujud hidupan di Marikh
Jumlah takungan air yang banyak jauh di dalam kerak planet Marikh, menimbulkan semula persoalan dalam kalangan saintis yang percaya tentang kemungkinan wujudnya hidupan di planet merah tersebut.
Mpox atau cacar monyet: WHO isytihar mpox kecemasan kesihatan awam global
Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) mengisytiharkan Monkeypox atau Mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global, pada Rabu.
Parlimen Thailand pilih perdana menteri baharu Jumaat ini
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Jumaat ini bagi mengadakan mesyuarat khas memilih perdana menteri baharu susulan keputusan mahkamah yang menyingkirkan Srettha Thavisin pada Rabu/
![Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723695263_TBSretthaThavisin.jpg)
Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Jumaat ini bagi mengadakan mesyuarat khas memilih perdana menteri baharu susulan keputusan mahkamah yang menyingkirkan Srettha Thavisin pada Rabu.
5 kematian akibat komplikasi denggi pada ME ke 31 dilaporkan
Jumlah kes demam denggi Pada Minggu Epidemiologi ke-31 tahun 2024 dilaporkan sebanyak 2,515 kes berbanding 2,609 kes pada minggu sebelumnya.
[TERKINI] Fahmi nafi arah Google nyahaktif ciri graf penukar ringgit
Menjawab tuduhan seorang pengguna X, Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai itu menerusi platform sama menegaskan beliau tidak pernah mengarahkan penyedia perkhidmatan itu berbuat demikian.
![Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723694795_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar
Dua maut selepas kereta dinaiki terlibat dalam kemalangan dengan sebuah MPV jenis Toyota Velfire di Jalan Kuala Kangsar-Manong.
[TERKINI] Bapa terima baik kehilangan Nidza Afham
Mokhtar Mahmud, bapa kepada penyanyi Muhammad Nidza Afham redha dengan pemergian Allahyarham yang disahkan meninggal dunia selepas jasadnya ditemui terapung di jambatan Sungai Klang pada petang Rabu.
![Maliah Surip kongsi pengalaman hidap gangguan mental Maliah Surip kongsi pengalaman hidap gangguan mental](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/71679001558_gangguanmental.jpg)
Maliah Surip kongsi pengalaman hidap gangguan mental
Senandika: Bercakap Seorang Diri diharapkan akan memberi kesedaran kepada masyarakat untuk sentiasa peka terhadap kesihatan mental.
![Orang rumah aku ada anxiety, keluarga aku jangan usik... - Shuib Sepahtu bengang Siti Sarah diejek Orang rumah aku ada anxiety, keluarga aku jangan usik... - Shuib Sepahtu bengang Siti Sarah diejek](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-09/61569441625_1.jpg)
Orang rumah aku ada anxiety, keluarga aku jangan usik... - Shuib Sepahtu bengang Siti Sarah diejek
Yang mengejek pun sudah-sudahlah!
![Serangan anxiety kali ke-3, Linda Rafar mohon doakan kakaknya Serangan anxiety kali ke-3, Linda Rafar mohon doakan kakaknya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-08/41566525628_liza-rafar-anxiety.jpg)
Serangan anxiety kali ke-3, Linda Rafar mohon doakan kakaknya
Menurut Linda, serangan kali ketiga itu berlaku dalam masa seminggu dan lebih teruk berbanding yang pertama dan kedua.
![Bersukan untuk elak tekanan, kemurungan - Syed Saddiq Bersukan untuk elak tekanan, kemurungan - Syed Saddiq](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-06/51561185526_FitMalaysia.jpg)
Bersukan untuk elak tekanan, kemurungan - Syed Saddiq
Tekanan yang tidak dikawal dan diuruskan dengan baik boleh menjejaskan kesihatan secara keseluruhan, terutamanya bagi mereka yang bekerja.
!['Rasa macam nak mati, tak boleh bernafas' - Maya Karin dedah pengalaman serangan anxiety 'Rasa macam nak mati, tak boleh bernafas' - Maya Karin dedah pengalaman serangan anxiety](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-01/61548360082_maya-anxiety-header-(1).jpg)
'Rasa macam nak mati, tak boleh bernafas' - Maya Karin dedah pengalaman serangan anxiety
Siapa pernah alami situasi sama macam Maya?
![Saya hanya duduk, tak boleh tidur rasa macam anxiety - Elizad Saya hanya duduk, tak boleh tidur rasa macam anxiety - Elizad](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-12/51514462441_elizad-anxiety.jpg)
"Saya hanya duduk, tak boleh tidur rasa macam anxiety" - Elizad
Pelakon Syurga Yang Kedua, Elizad akui berasa gelisah dan sukar untuk tidur sekiranya tidak membuat rujukan terhadap watak yang diterima untuk sesebuah naskah yang ditawarkan.