CompletedNot Applicable

ACTing Minds: An ACT-based Videogame for Mental Health

United Kingdom302 participantsStarted 2025-11-26

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a single-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) videogame (ACTing Minds) improves psychological flexibility and mental health in adults who report mild to moderate depression, anxiety or stress. The main questions are whether ACTing Minds increases psychological flexibility (CompACT Total) more than a time- and engagement-matched neutral commercial game at the end of the session and again at short-term follow-up (10-13 days), and whether it produces favourable changes in symptoms, wellbeing, social connectedness, health-related quality of life, and short seated heart-rate variability recordings. Researchers will compare ACTing Minds with the neutral game to determine whether the ACT-based experience leads to greater improvements. Participants attend one laboratory visit of about 60 minutes, complete brief questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the session and at short-term follow-up, and provide a short seated ECG at each timepoint for heart-rate variability analysis. The study uses a single-blind, two-arm, randomised, parallel-group design at Swansea University (UK).

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Able to read and understand English * Self-reported mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress * Provides written informed consent * Willing and able to attend one \~60-minute laboratory session and complete online follow-up questionnaires 10-13 days later * Agrees to ECG recording (seated \~5 minutes at each timepoint) * Willing to play either study videogame on a study-supplied Samsung Galaxy S9+ (Android) Exclusion Criteria: * Current or past severe mental illness (e.g., psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder) * Current psychotropic medication use (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, stimulants) * Concurrent psychological therapy (any modality) * Pregnancy * Cardiovascular conditions or clinically significant arrhythmias that could affect ECG or HRV measurement or be exacerbated by study procedures * Implanted cardiac devices (e.g., pacemaker or ICD) * Any neurological condition, medical condition, or skin condition that would preclude safe ECG electrode placement or comfortable seated recording * Insufficient English proficiency to provide informed consent or complete study measures * Any other factor that, in the judgement of the investigators, would compromise safety, data quality, or protocol compliance

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Psychological flexibility (CompACT Total)

Timeframe: Baseline (Day 0); Immediately post-intervention (≈60 minutes after Baseline); short-term follow-up (10-13 days post-intervention).

Mental-health symptoms (DASS-21 Total)

Timeframe: Baseline (Day 0); Immediately post-intervention (≈60 minutes after Baseline); Short-term follow-up (10-13 days post-intervention).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07272096

SponsorSwansea University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-09

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