Oxford research: Tetris blocks traumatic memories

Today's best scientific news: playing Tetris could alleviate traumatic memories, provided (and in the highly unlikely case that) you play immediately following a painful event:

The researchers who published their findings in the Public Library of Science One journal showed 40 healthy volunteers that included traumatic images of injury from a variety of sources, including adverts highlighting the dangers of drink driving.

After waiting for 30 minutes, 20 of the volunteers played "Tetris" for 10 minutes while the other half did nothing. Those who had played the computer game experienced significantly fewer flashbacks over the next week.

Dr Holmes and her team believe that the computer game helps block the brain from storing painful memories as long as it is played immediately after the event...

The Oxford team chose "Tetris" because it involves moving coloured building blocks around and uses a large part of the mind. They are unsure whether other computer games would be as effective.

No word from the team on what to do when the trauma itself is the nightmare of inescapable re-occuring Tetris dreams.

Playing the video game 'Tetris' could reduce trauma, claim Oxford University [Thanks, Mr. Swyve!]