Tetris as a Nervous System Intervention
- caroleshowell
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By Carole Showell, LCSW–Research suggests that playing a visually engaging game like Tetris may help reduce intrusive thoughts, distressing mental images, flashbacks, and nervous system activation related to stressful or traumatic experiences. The theory behind this intervention is that the brain systems involved in visual imagery and working memory become temporarily occupied by the game, making it harder for distressing visual memories to remain emotionally “stuck” (Blackwell et al., 2018; Czernecka, 2023).
Recent clinical research has found that visuospatial games like Tetris may help reduce:
Intrusive memories and flashbacks
Emotional intensity related to traumatic imagery
Anxiety and hyperarousal
Rumination
Difficulty disengaging from distressing mental replay (Blackwell et al., 2018; Czernecka, 2023)
Some studies also found improvements in concentration, emotional regulation, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being when the intervention was used consistently (Blackwell et al., 2018; Czernecka, 2023).
How to Use Tetris As a Nervous System Intervention
When you notice yourself becoming stuck in distressing mental imagery, repetitive replay, or intrusive thoughts:
Briefly notice or identify the distressing image/thought.
Play Tetris (or another visually demanding puzzle game) for approximately 10-20 minutes.
Focus your attention fully on the shapes, movement, and spatial problem-solving involved in the game.
The goal is not to suppress emotions or avoid processing experiences. Instead, the intervention helps “interrupt” repetitive threat-based imagery and gives the nervous system an opportunity to downshift from a heightened state.
Research suggests this type of intervention may work best:
Shortly after a triggering event
During periods of repetitive intrusive imagery
Or when the brain feels “stuck” replaying visual memories.
Importantly, studies suggest that this intervention may reduce the emotional vividness of intrusive imagery without interfering with normal factual memory of events (Blackwell et al., 2018; Czernecka, 2023).
Using Tetris as a nervous system intervention is considered a supportive coping tool rather than a standalone treatment, and it can be used alongside therapy and other evidence-based interventions.
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References
Czernecka, K. (2023). Visuospatial game in PTSD symptoms alleviation: Intervention
overview and clinical studies results. Quarterly Journal Fides et Ratio, 55(3), 193–
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 a brief intervention involving Tetris computer game play in the emergency
department: A proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial. Molecular Psychiatry,
23(3), 674–682. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2017.23
