A computer game that helps patients with schizophrenia has been developed by scientists from the University of Cambridge.
Schizophrenia is the most common serious mental illness (approximately 1% of the population suffers from it). Patients develop behavioral changes, hallucinations, delusions, and incorrect thinking. Many people cannot function independently, incl. due to problems with memory and learning – currently used drugs are not effective in this area.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge hope that the computer game they developed will improve the quality of everyday life of patients.
The player’s task is to visit virtual rooms, find items in boxes and remember where he put them. This allows you to assess the so-called episodic memory.
In a small number of people, the four-week tests showed improvements in both memory and learning ability. This could help you return to study or gainful employment.
Prof. Barbara Sahakian from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge observed that playing patients make far fewer mistakes when testing memory and brain function. This indicates that they would also do better in the real world. Unlike drugs, the game has no side effects and is interesting enough to help even patients who have problems with motivation. The authors of the studies emphasize that studies on larger groups of patients are needed.