Trauma leaves more than just memories — it can create intrusive images, flashbacks, and sudden waves of distress that feel impossible to control. These symptoms are common after accidents, violence, or other overwhelming experiences.
Surprisingly, a simple video game like Tetris has caught the attention of researchers as a possible way to reduce these painful aftereffects.
Tetris and Trauma: Can a Video Game Help with Traumatic Memories?
What the Research Shows
Several studies suggest that playing Tetris soon after a traumatic experience may reduce intrusive memories:
- In a randomized controlled trial with car accident survivors, those who played Tetris in the emergency department reported fewer intrusive memories in the following week compared to those who didn’t (Iyadurai et al., 2018, Molecular Psychiatry).
- Another study looked at people with combat-related PTSD. When they combined standard therapy with daily Tetris sessions, participants not only showed symptom improvement but also increased hippocampal volume, a brain area involved in memory and safety processing (Butler et al., 2020, Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience).
- Even in laboratory settings, people who watched distressing films and then played Tetris had fewer flashbacks compared with control groups (Holmes et al., 2009, PLOS ONE).
Why Tetris Might Work
Tetris demands a lot of visual and spatial processing — the same kind of mental resources used when trauma is stored as vivid, picture-like memories.
When a traumatic memory is recalled, it becomes temporarily flexible, a process known as memory reconsolidation. Playing Tetris during this window seems to “compete” with the brain’s visual memory systems, reducing how strongly the traumatic images are stored (Butler et al., 2020).
What Tetris Can — and Cannot — Do
It’s important to be realistic. Tetris is not a cure for trauma or PTSD. Instead, research shows it may:
- Reduce intrusive memories and flashbacks
- Work best soon after trauma or memory recall
- Be a helpful adjunct alongside established treatments like therapy
But it may not help with other symptoms such as emotional numbness, guilt, or avoidance. And the timing matters — studies suggest it’s most effective when used shortly after the traumatic event.
Why This Matters
If something as simple as a video game can ease one of the hardest parts of trauma, it opens the door to low-cost, accessible, and creative interventions. Emergency rooms, therapy centers, or even individuals might one day use tools like Tetris as part of early trauma care.
Related: 10 Tips On Healing From Trauma While In A Relationship
Conclusion
Healing from trauma requires many layers of support — therapy, community, and time. But research on Tetris shows that even small, everyday tools can make a measurable difference. While more studies are needed, the idea that a puzzle game can help reduce flashbacks offers hope and possibility.
References
- Iyadurai, L., Blackwell, S. E., Meiser-Stedman, R., Watson, P. C., Bonsall, M. B., Geddes, J. R., Nobre, A. C., & Holmes, E. A. (2018). Preventing intrusive memories after trauma via Tetris. Molecular Psychiatry. PMC5822451
- Butler, O., Herr, K., Willmund, G., Gallinat, J., Kühn, S., & Zimmermann, P. (2020). Trauma, treatment and Tetris: Video gaming increases hippocampal volume in PTSD. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. PMC7828932
- Holmes, E. A., James, E. L., Coode-Bate, T., & Deeprose, C. (2009). Can playing Tetris reduce flashbacks for trauma? PLOS ONE.
- Oxford University News (2017). Tetris used to prevent post-traumatic stress symptoms. Oxford link
