Gamified Digital Intervention to Enhance the Efficacy of Exposure Therapy for OCD

Plain-language summary

Aim 1 - Clinically analyze the game Militant of the Maze (MoM) as a vehicle for Exposure Theory, including, play, observation, and feedback from five clinicians. MoM, developed in our lab, emphasizes the significance of controlled alternation, while achieving a goal of an individual suffering from OCD who considers that there is only one optimal way of solving a problem. Since this game is already developed in the PI's research lab, this can accommodate OCD treatment strategies, a significant amount of time can be conserved. While the game runs on hand-held devices, all proposed subject testing will be conducted in the laboratory. Aim 2: Based on the feedback, modifications will be made in MoM to inject narrative, mechanics, and gameplay to address the features of Exposure Therapy that aims to deal with the ob- session/compulsion of cleanliness. One of the key mechanisms of this game will be exposing the patients to simulated human sneezing by using animated splashes of droplets on the screen that the patent will need to wipe without becoming agitated. Aim 3: Once the game is developed, another round of laboratory case study will be conducted. In the first phase of this round of study, 5 clinicians will play the game to evaluate the revised game MoMG. In the next phase, 5 carefully-selected non-clinician participants will play the game. under real-time observation of clinicians, to ensure that subjects experience no harm, and that the gameplay is interesting and enjoyable. Observational data, including stress measures such as real- time heart rate will be collected, along with verbal protocol and video recording for further analysis, game enhancement, and testing as an exposure therapy mechanism.

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