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Bias Blaster – Aiding Cognitive Bias Modification- Interpretation through a bubble shooter induced gameflow

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Games for Health

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development of Bias Blaster. Bias Blaster is a proof-of-concept integrated bubble-shooter game with an evidence-based therapeutic intervention, i.e., Cognitive Bias Modification Interpretation (CBM-I). The game is tailor-made for patients of the Dutch national mental health organization (GGZ) recovering from a First-Episode Psychosis (FEP). Cognitive Bias Modification- Interpretation treats the self-stigma and its associated interpretation bias as experienced by patients recovering from a FEP. The amount and frequency of CBM-I items and training is regulated by the patient, through an integrated game-mechanic of the modified bubble shooter. The game implements a motivational and reinforcement paradigm, which paves the way for the use of the rigorous and demanding CBM-I therapy. Moreover, Bias Blaster exploits the natural game flow of the bubble shooter to increase resilience and adherence throughout the treatment of FEP patients. This paper presents the design and development process of the game. The lessons learned are summarized in implications for the design of serious games: design for “acceptance“ and as a “serious therapeutic”.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NHL University of Applied Sciences of Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

    Bard O. Wartena & Hylke W. van Dijk

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  1. Bard O. Wartena
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  2. Hylke W. van Dijk
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Ben Schouten

  2. ATNOVUS, Zug, Switzerland

    Stephen Fedtke

  3. Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Tilde Bekker

  4. Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marlies Schijven

  5. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Alex Gekker

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© 2013 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

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Wartena, B., van Dijk, H. (2013). Bias Blaster – Aiding Cognitive Bias Modification- Interpretation through a bubble shooter induced gameflow. In: Schouten, B., Fedtke, S., Bekker, T., Schijven, M., Gekker, A. (eds) Games for Health. Springer Vieweg, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-02897-8_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-02897-8_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer Vieweg, Wiesbaden

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-658-02896-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-658-02897-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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