Resources and research
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Research archive
Continue on for a collection of research that relates to the various media types we cover. We’re updating as we go!
Video games, virtual reality, apps / interactive
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“Some Video Games are good for older adults’ brains” Université de Montréal 12/6/2017
“Video games to improve mobility after a stroke” FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology 2/14/2018
“Video games can help boost children’s intelligence” Karolinska Institutet 05/12/2022
“Time spent playing video games may have positive effects on young children” Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health 3/8/2016
“Playing Video games can boost brain power” Queen Mary, University of London 08/21/2013
“Video games do not make vulnerable teens more violent” Springer 8/26/2013
“Boys who play video games have lower depression risk” University College London 2/18/2021
”Playing to beat the blues: Video games viable treatment for depression” University of California - Davis 3/27/2017
“Digital games improve mental health, educational outcomes of Syrian refugee children” NYU 6/6/2017
“Seniors who play videos games reports better sense of emotional well-being” North Carolina State University 3/5/2013
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“Virtual reality helps measure vulnerability to stress” Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne 11/23/2020
“Virtual reality game to objectively detect ADHD” Aalto University 12/20/2022
“Virtual reality for psychiatric treatment? Research shows promise for VR and other technologies in mental health care” Wolters Kluwer Health 5/8/2017
“Virtual reality experiences to aid substance use disorder recovery” Indiana University 10/19/2022
“Walking in their shoes: Using virtual reality to elicit empathy in healthcare providers” Elsevier 5/20/2021
“How can the metaverse improve public health?” Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology 2/21/2023
“Virtual reality therapy helps decrease pain in hospitalized patients” Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 3/29/2017
“Immersive virtual reality therapy shows lasting effect in treatment of phobias in children with autism” Newcastle University 2/14/2019
“Immersion in virtual reality scenes of the Arctic helps to ease people's pain” elps/Imperial College London 11/8/2019
“Interactive avatar boosts performance of children with ADHD” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News 9/26/2019
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“Texting may be more suitable than apps in treatment of mental illness” Clemson University 1/29/2015
“Smartphone apps can reduce depression” NICM, Western Sydney University 9/22/2017
“New apps designed to reduce depression, anxiety as easily as checking your phone” Northwestern University 1/5/2017
“Smartphone app may revolutionize mental health treatment” American Friends of Tel Aviv University 7/1/2014
“Mental health on the go: Reducing anxiety with smartphone app” Association for Psychological Science 3/18/2014
“Internet therapy apps reduce depression symptoms” Indiana University 12/11/2018
“Listening to bipolar disorder: Smartphone App detects mood swings via voice analysis” University of Michigan Health System 5/8/2014
“Computer-, smartphone-based treatments effective at reducing symptoms of depression” American Psychological Association 12/13/2021
“Smartphone as mentor: How tech could change behavior” University of Michigan 12/23/2013
“Smartphones help researcher better understand the nature of depression and anxiety” University at Buffalo 2/21/2019
Books, podcast, poetry, talks
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“Picking up a book for fun positively affects verbal abilities” Concordia University 3/16/2021
“Effect and mechanism of reading habits on physical and mental health among the elderly: Evidence from China” Front Public Health. 10/10/2022
“Reading is good for your health” The University of Stavanger 10/8/2013
Benefits of Positive Psychology-Based Story Reading on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being Child Indic Res 1/6/2022
Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain Brain Connect 12/1/2013
“Does being a bookworm boost your brainpower in old age?” American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 7/4/2013
Five studies evaluating the impact on mental health and mood of recalling, reading, and discussing fiction PLoS One 4/8/2022
Exposure to Literary Fiction Is Associated With Lower Psychological Essentialism Front Psychol 6/8/2021
Literary reading and eating disorders: survey evidence of therapeutic help and harm J Eat Disord 4/16/2018
The Use of “Literary Fiction” to Promote Mentalizing Ability PLoS One 8/4/2016
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“Appreciate the Little Things”: A Qualitative Survey of Men’s Coping Strategies and Mental Health Impacts During the COVID-19 Pandemic Am J Mens Health 5/24/2022
Why people listen: Motivations and outcomes of podcast listening PLoS One 8/6/2022
The Effects of Podcasts on Mental Health Stigma John Jay College of Criminal Justice 6/8/2020
Can Podcast Listening Influence Attitudes About Mental Illness?: An Exploratory Study Antioch University 2018
Podcasts as a tool for enhancing mental health literacy: An investigation of mental health-related podcasts University College Cork 2022
Breaking Green Ceilings: podcasting for environmental and social change J Environ Stud Sci 11/2/2021
Using lecture podcasts in the COVID-19 transition to virtual post‐secondary education in agriculture Natural Sciences Education 7/12/2021
Linking Podcasts With Social Media to Promote Community Health and Medical Research: Feasibility Study JMIR Form Res 10/24/2018
Podcasting as a Learning Tool in Medical Education: Prior to and During the Pandemic Period Balkan Med J 9/9/2022
Narrative Podcasts to Foster Empathy and Reduce Stigma Among Third-Year Medical Students Springer 3/14/2023
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“Poetry is like music to the mind, functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals” University of Exeter 10/9/2013
“Is the human brain hardwired to appreciate poetry?” Frontiers 2/17/2017
“Do genes express themselves through poetry?” Michigan State University 5/9/2016
“Poetry as a Creative Practice to Enhance Engagement and Learning in Conservation Science” Bioscience. 10/4/2018
“Pictures in your head -- the secret of beautiful poems” Max-Planck-Gesellschaft 12/13/2017
“Why we need more poetry in palliative care” BMJ Support Palliat Care. 3/23/2018
Poetry Brings Out the Best in Us: Structured Poetry-Based Group Activity in Long-Term Care Innov Aging 12/16/2020
A Look Back and a Path Forward: Poetry's Healing Power during the Pandemic J Med Humanit 8/26/2020
Psychological healing function of poetry appreciation based on educational psychology and aesthetic analysis Front Psychol 9/6/2022
How Can Poetry Support the Understanding of Psychotic Experiences? – A Conceptual Review J Recovery Ment Health 1/4/2022
Music, sound
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“Learning music or speaking another language leads to more efficient brains” Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care 5/17/2018
“Uplifting music can boost mental capacity” Northumbria University 3/18/2013
“Music intervention and mindfulness reduces the effect of mental fatigue” University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences 3/6/2020
“Music as therapeutic intervention can relieve anxiety, depression in older people” RCN Publishing Company February 25, 2014
“Music combined with auditory beat stimulation may reduce anxiety for some” PLOS 3/9/2022
“Playing the piano boosts brain processing power and helps lift the blues” University of Bath 12/2/2022
“Music therapy reduces depression in children, adolescents” Queen's University, Belfast 10/23/2014
“Research shows the role empathy may play in music” Southern Methodist University 5/11/2022
“How we use music as a possible sleep aid” PLOS 11/14/2018
“The brain's 'prediction machine' anticipates the future when listening to music” Association for Psychological Science 8/19/2021
“Music-induced emotions can be predicted from brain scans” University of Turku 12/28/2020
“Research reveals pain, pleasure of sad music” Durham University 6/14/2016
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“Its true: the sound of nature helps us relax” University of Sussex 3/30/2017
“Sound of music: Ultrasound exposure improves depressive behavior in rodents” Tokyo University of Science 08/1/2022
“Feeling chirpy: Being around birds is linked to lasting mental health benefits” Kings College London 10/27/2022
“How the sounds we hear help us predict how things feel” University of East Anglia 08/24/2022
“Anxiety and neuroticism linked to ability to experience ASMR” PLOS 2/2/2022
“Brain tingles: First study of its kind reveals physiological benefits of ASMR” University of Sheffield 6/21/2018
“How playing the drums changes the brain” Ruhr-University Bochum 12/9/2019
“Natural sounds improve mood and productivity” Acoustical Society of America (ASA) 5/19/2015
“Controlling brain cells with sound waves” Salk Institute 9/15/2015
“White noise enhances new-word learning in healthy adults” Sci Rep. 10/12/2017
Film, TV, cinemedicine
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“Scientists identify benefits, challenges to using film in public health research” University of Pittsburgh 9/25/2019
“3D technology from film industry improves rehab for stroke patients” University of Gothenburg 12/18/2013
“Film Memento helped uncover how the brain remembers and interprets events from clues” Aalto University 2/21/2018
“Does watching a movie improve empathy? A cluster randomized controlled trial” Can Med Educ J. 11/10/2019
“Watching cartoons could help children overcome anxiety of dental treatment” Taylor & Francis 8/8/2016
“Keep calm and don your video glasses: Television shows keep patients calm during medical treatment” Society of Interventional Radiology 3/24/2014
“How watching TV and movies helps people with attachment issues” Ohio State University 3/25/2019
“Think leisure is a waste? That may not bode well for your mental health” Ohio State University 8/23/2021
“Watching nature on TV can boost wellbeing” University of Exeter 10/13/2020
“Study sheds light on how songs, movies and memories shape how people enjoy lighthearted entertainment” University of Kansas 10/25/2022
Art, dance
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Arts-based groups benefit individuals with mental health conditions Wiley 07/19/2017
“Benefit of art therapy in reducing psychological problems in Syrian refugee children” Taylor & Francis 6/30/2016
“Art evokes feelings in the body” University of Turku 3/27/2023
“Online art viewing can improve well-being” University of Vienna 7/8/2022
“Clear effect of art therapy on severe depression” University of Gothenburg 11/6/2017
“Art is in the eye of the beholder” James Cook University 4/13/2018
“Making art activates brain's reward pathway” Drexel University 6/13/2017
“Arts activities may improve self-control and reduce antisocial behavior among teenagers” University College London 3/22/2022
“The art of cancer caregiving: How art therapies benefits those caring for cancer patients” Drexel University 10/21/2019
“At any skill level, making art reduces stress hormones” Drexel University 6/15/2016
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“The art of the circus: Cartwheeling kids to better mental health” University of South Australia 5/9/2019
“Tango dancing benefits Parkinson's patients” McGill University 4/13/2015
“Older people advised to dance for better posture, flexibility, energy and happiness” Queensland University of Technology 4/5/2018
“Postmenopausal women can dance their way to better health” The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 7/28/2017
“Popular video dancing game may reduce cognitive, physical impacts of multiple sclerosis” Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science 2/27/2013
“Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in the brain” Frontiers 8/25/2017
“Latin dancing may have health benefits for older adults” American Heart Association 3/4/2016
“Dancing may help older women maintain the ability to perform daily tasks” Wiley 12/19/18
“Scientists take a look at the feel-good benefits of belly dance” Springer Science+Business Media 8/8/2014
“The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review” Front Physiol.6/13/2022
Social media, community
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“It's not if, but how people use social media that impacts their well-being” University of British Columbia Okanagan campus 11/2/2020
“Social Media–Driven Routes to Positive Mental Health Among Youth: Qualitative Enquiry and Concept Mapping Study” JMIR Pediatr Parent.1/5/2022
“YouTube as peer support for severe mental illness” The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth 10/17/14
“Social media use can be positive for mental health and well-being” Harvard University 1/6/2020
“Seeking and Sharing Mental Health Information on Social Media During COVID-19: Role of Depression and Anxiety, Peer Support, and Health Benefits” J Technol Behav Sci.1/11/2022
“Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents” Health Promot Int. 7/30/2018
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“Online discussion forums good for well-being, study shows” University of Exeter 4/21/2015
“Online program helps prevent teen depression” University of Illinois at Chicago 11/2/2018
“Search engines 'could help young people find best mental health resources'” University of Strathclyde 12/8/2016
“Online health communities, contributions to caregivers and resilience of older adults” Wiley 12/5/2020