A randomised controlled trial gave 148 adults already on antidepressants but with residual symptoms nine weeks of access to a CBT-based smartphone game, 25 optional internet CBT modules and therapist support on demand, or placed them on a waitlist. Depressive symptoms favoured the intervention (d = 0.74), as did anxiety (d = 0.67) and self-reported adherence (d = 0.46), with 51% against 19% reaching at least 30% improvement. Quality of life did not differ, and the authors state that the effect cannot be attributed to the game alone.
Why it is interesting: Medication adherence is among the few behaviours shifted in a randomised design, though a waitlist comparator and differential attrition both inflate what an effect size of this kind means.