A Gamified Solution to Managing Anger in Children with Conduct Disorder

Abstract

"The problem of Conduct Disorder (CD) in children and adolescents arises through disruptive behaviours, including aggression, theft, and vandalism, often leading to long-term negative outcomes such as legal issues and poor physical health. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation and adherence to diagnostic criteria. Additionally, Aggression is a prominent feature of CD, as children with CD are more prone to experiencing heightened irritability and difficulty managing anger compared to their peers.

Addressing the lack of digital interventions for managing anger tantrums in children with CD, this study proposes utilizing elements of which children are drawn to, being games and music. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Music Therapy principles, a gamified approach is planned, that being the application of digitalized-CBT (dCBT), with calming effects to mitigate aggressive episodes.

Through the integration of rhythm game elements with dCBT and Music Therapy principles, the prototype effectively detects beats, manages player controls, and ensures beat correspondence. Testing demonstrates seamless interaction, with players able to tap in alignment with the beat to trigger sound emission and score points. These results indicate potential effectiveness in managing anger episodes in children with CD, but further testing and refinement are required to validate its effectiveness in therapeutic applications. "