Tetris as Postpartum Self-Care: A Game-Changing Research Insight
At Nurture North, we’re passionate about sharing holistic, evidence-based strategies to support new parents. One of the most intriguing recent findings in maternal mental health is that playing Tetris for just 15 minutes shortly after giving birth may help reduce the risk of developing birth-related PTSD. This simple, accessible intervention could transform how we support postpartum well-being.
A landmark randomized controlled trial led by Dr. Antje Horsch and colleagues at the University of Lausanne and University Hospitals of Geneva tested this idea with 146 women who had undergone emergency C-sections. Within six hours of delivery, participants either played Tetris for 15 minutes or engaged in a neutral activity. The results were striking: “Fewer women in the Tetris group developed childbirth-related PTSD at six weeks (8%) compared with the control group (21%),” with benefits maintained at six months postpartum (Horsch et al., 2024).
How does a classic video game help reduce birth trauma? The answer lies in how our brains process memories. Tetris is a visuospatial task that engages brain regions handling visual information and spatial memory. Playing it soon after a traumatic event appears to disrupt the consolidation of distressing visual memories, reducing the vividness and frequency of flashbacks and nightmares. As the study explains: “A brief behavioral intervention based on the cognitive science of memory reconsolidation and interference… significantly reduced PTSD symptoms.”
This mechanism builds on prior research suggesting visuospatial games can help lessen intrusive memories after traumatic events like car accidents. For example, earlier studies by Oxford researchers demonstrated similar effects with Tetris reducing flashbacks in emergency-room patients (Holmes et al., 2009).
The implications for postpartum care are profound. Tetris is feasible, affordable, and widely accessible. It requires no special equipment beyond a phone or tablet, and only about 15 to 20 minutes of time. Because it doesn’t rely on language or verbal therapy, it can be used by people from many different backgrounds. Supporting maternal mental health has ripple effects throughout the family, improving bonding, emotional presence, sleep, and overall well-being during a baby’s critical first months.
However, it’s important to note that the recent study specifically focused on emergency C-sections, which are known to carry a higher risk of traumatic stress. While the results are promising, further research is needed to see if Tetris would be equally effective after other challenging births, such as prolonged labor or instrumental deliveries. Questions also remain about how well the intervention works outside a clinical research setting or without professional guidance.
At Nurture North, we see this research as an exciting opportunity to expand our understanding of postpartum support. Imagine incorporating Tetris in birthing suites as part of early postpartum care. We could develop easy-to-follow toolkits or guides for parents, helping them understand how and why to use this approach. Workshops or prenatal classes could share the science behind it, empowering families to make informed choices about their mental health.
Ultimately, this research shows that 15 minutes of Tetris can have a meaningful, lasting impact on reducing PTSD symptoms in mothers after traumatic births. It’s a powerful reminder that small, practical interventions can make a big difference. At Nurture North, we’re dedicated to exploring and sharing these kinds of innovations—supporting parents in nurturing both themselves and their families, one thoughtful moment at a time.
Key Reference
Horsch A, Vannier M, Favrod-Coune T, et al. Effect of a Brief Visuospatial Intervention on Intrusive Memories of Traumatic Childbirth: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2024;81(5):470–478. Read the full study here.
