Background: Childhood anxiety is a global mental health concern. Interventions are needed that are
effective, but also cost less, are more accessible and engage children long enough to build emotional
resilience skills through practice.
Methods: The present randomized controlled study aimed to examine the prevention effects of a neurofeedback
video game, MindLight, developed based on evidence-based practices with anxious youth.
Over 750 children (7e13 years old) in elementary schools were screened for elevated anxiety; 136
selected children were randomly assigned to play Mindlight or a control game. Self- and parent-reported
anxiety was assessed at pre-, post-intervention and 3-month follow up.
Results/conclusions: Intent-to-treat analyses revealed an overall significant reduction in child- and
parent-reported anxiety, but the magnitude of improvements did not differ between conditions. Future
research comparing MindLight to cognitive-behavioral interventions is suggested, as well as testing a
range of specific (e.g., exposure) and non-specific (e.g., expectations, motivation) therapeutic factors as
mediators of outcomes.