Playing Tetris can help cope with past trauma, according to a study.
The trial involved nearly 100 employees who had been exposed to trauma at work - such as witnessing deaths during the pandemic.
It found that those who played the classic game as part of their treatment experienced fewer "bad" memories, writes sky news.
The study was carried out by researchers in the UK and Sweden, with experts now hoping to test the method on a larger group of people.
The treatment involved about 40 patients playing a slow version of Tetris while briefly recalling a traumatic memory.
Emily Holmes, professor of psychology at Uppsala University, who led the study, said: "Even a single, fleeting and intrusive memory of past trauma can exert a powerful impact on everyday life by hijacking attention and leaving people at the mercy of unwanted and intrusive emotions."
The findings showed that, within four weeks, those who received the treatment had 10 times fewer previous memories compared to the other groups.
After six months, 70% reported having no intrusive memories.
The treatment also helped cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Holmes called the study "a real breakthrough," insisting that while the treatment is more than just playing Tetris, it is designed to be "as gentle, brief and practical as possible to fit into people's busy lives."
The apparent psychological impact of the game, which was created in 1984 by Alexey Pajitnov, has previously led to the invention of a phenomenon known as the Tetris Effect, with some claiming to see blocks falling in their dreams or buildings moving together in the street after spending hours playing the game. /Telegraph/
