Making accessible mainstream computerised mental health interventions for adults with intellectual disability.

Pesky gNATs-ID is based on the Pesky gNATs game developed by Handaxe CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company founded by David Coyle and Gary O’Reilly.

Pesky gNATs-ID offers 2 computer games, the Feel Good Island and Mindful Island. The games are designed to help mental health professionals deliver Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness interventions to adults with intellectual disability. They combine gaming with the highest quality psychological content to support evidence-based interventions with adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability with anxiety and or depression.

In Pesky gNATs-ID we have used our understanding of developmental psychology, clinical psychology and computer science to tackle the problem of translating the ideas of CBT and mindfulness into something that is accessible to adults with Intellectual disability.

The Feel Good Island intervention was developed by Patricia Cooney, Catherine Jackman, David Coyle and Gary O’Reilly. To the authors knowledge, Pesky Gnats-ID : The Feel Good Island is the first computer-assisted CBT intervention for adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability. Outcomes from the randomised control trial evaluation of the intervention are promising as it produced clinically significant change maintained at three month follow up for the treatment of anxiety symptoms.

Mindful Island was developed by Colette Clyne, Catherine Jackman, Michael Tully, David Coyle, and Gary O’Reilly. The findings suggested that mindfulness can be adapted to computer-assisted technology for use among people with intellectual disabilities. Results indicated that participants found the game an enjoyable experience and saw a number of benefits to engaging in it including perceived improved confidence and perceived reduction of worries.

Acknowledgements

The development of Pesky gNATs-ID was supported by a grant from the HSE. The game was developed in collaboration with Opposable Games, a Bristol based games development company. Development was also supported by the Department of Psychology and School of Computer Science at University College Dublin and Cheeverstown House, a service supporting people with intellectual disability.

Availability

A single user licence of Pesky gNATs-ID is free to suitably qualified mental health professionals working in Ireland. Before using the software complete our online training, which is available to all mental health professionals registered for Pesky gNATs-ID.

The Pesky gNATs -ID computer games

The Pesky gNATs-ID software is designed for use by mental health professionals who work with adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability. It consists of 2 computer games, an accompanying book, and videos of relaxation and mindful exercises.

1. The Feel Good Island Computer Game

The Pesky gNATs-ID computer game called the Feel Good Island guides the delivery of an adapted CBT intervention. It is designed for use in sessions where a person with intellectual disability with anxiety and or low mood plays the game along-side a mental health professional.

In the game, a client visits a 3-D world called “Feel Good Island ”. and meets a team of helpers. Each member of this team introduces a single CBT concept. These concepts are illustrated through conversation, embedded presentations and questions, and the use of examples.

The game has seven levels. Each level is designed to be the equivalent of a standard treatment session and supports a single component of a customised, developmentally appropriate CBT intervention. With the help of their therapist, the client applies the CBT concept they learn in each level to their current difficulties. Each level also has the option to learn a mindfulness or relaxation skill. The game is supported by a printable workbook, and videos of the exercises.

2. The Mindful Island Computer Game

The Pesky gNATs-ID computer game called Mindful Island guides the delivery of an adapted mindfulness intervention. It is designed for use in sessions where a person with intellectual disability plays the game along-side a mental health professional.

In the game a client visits a 3-D world called “Mindful Island” and meets a team of helpers. Each member of this team introduces a single Mindfulness concept. These concepts are illustrated through conversation, embedded videos and questions and the use of examples.

The game has seven levels. Each level is designed to be the equivalent of a standard treatment session and supports a single component of a customised, developmentally appropriate mindful intervention. With the help of their therapist the client applies the mindfulness concept they learn in each level to their everyday life. The game is supported by a printable workbook, and videos of the exercises.