1. A smartphone game for the treatment of depression
Back in the Game
A smartphone game for the treatment of depression
Katharina Stegen
Dr. Philipp Schröder
Schleichstraße 4
72076 Tübingen

2. Innovation Design approach
Back in the Game
Innovation
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Depression is common, but access to mental health services and treatments are limited. Back in the Game aims to develop an easy-to-use smartphone game against depression based on neuropsychiatric trainings so treatment is independent of socioeconomic status, language skills and access to healthcare services.
Design approach
Using design to transform scientific results in a tool for patients; iterative development process based on design thinking centered around usability; functional and paper-based prototyping; early involvement of patients and users to validate our ideas

3. Relation to the urbanscape Scaling up prospects
Back in the Game
Relation to the urbanscape
The project originated in the psychiatric hospital in Tübingen and was further developed in the Medical Innovations Incubator and the MedTech StartUp School programmes at the university of Tübingen. A local network of mental health professionals and business continues to support the project. Because of the strong influence of the university and other research institutes in the city, events on innovation in healthcare are frequent and offer further support and possibilities to get feedback on our ideas.
Scaling up prospects
Because it is not based on language but images the game has the potential to be used internationally without additional complex steps for adaptation. Once established, aspects of the gamified neuropsychiatric trainings can be used to develop treatments for other mental illnesses such as eating or panic disorders.