New York City EMTs encounter numerous challenging situations during their shifts, many of which they would prefer to forget. To help with this, they are testing an innovative interactive video game called Zengence, designed to improve mental health and reduce depression.

Zengence is played using a virtual reality headset and incorporates biofeedback mechanics to achieve its goals. These mechanics aim to fully engage the player, shutting down negative rumination, creating a sense of control, and quickly rewarding the player. The game also promotes controlled breathing, which, according to its designer, can enhance resilience if practiced for just five minutes daily.

New York City EMT Steven Sharkey initially found the game somewhat confusing but quickly adapted to its rhythm. “Once you start getting the hang of it and pay attention to the orbs, it was stress relieving,” he said.

Zengence features engaging elements such as shooting, fighting, dodging, and evading, which were once thought to be detrimental. Ryan Douglas, CEO of DeepWell Digital Therapeutics, which produces the game, noted that past data suggested action-packed games could be harmful. However, Stanford University professors analyzed the game and found that these activities can actually be beneficial in this context.

Douglas emphasized the importance of a strong game loop that engages players deeply. “Good gaming ties you into a narrative and engages you completely,” he said. The game rewards players with sounds that prompt them to make noises linked to breathing out, setting their breath patterns effectively.

Douglas explained that the combination of covert therapeutics embedded in the game and the breathing-inducing sounds creates a powerful therapeutic tool. “If everyone could do breathing exercises at home, they’d be healthier, but they won’t. But they will play a video game,” he said.

The effectiveness of the testing is yet to be determined, but the initial response from EMTs is positive. Sharkey praised the game's interactivity and graphics, comparing it to an imagined scene from Japan and calling it more interactive than Minecraft.