# MindLight by PlayNice

> MindLight is an evidence-based therapeutic video game that reduces anxiety in children ages 8–12.
> Validated through six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it produces outcomes equivalent to or
> better than gold-standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — with results sustained at 3 and 6
> months after children stop playing. A full year of MindLight plus a biofeedback device costs
> approximately the same as a single CBT session.

MindLight was originally developed by researchers at the Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab at Radboud University (Netherlands). It is designed for parents seeking accessible, engaging mental health support for anxious children — particularly where therapy waitlists make traditional CBT inaccessible. It is also used by clinicians and schools as a scalable, low-cost, evidence-based intervention tool.

The game embeds three clinically validated therapeutic mechanisms directly into gameplay:

- **Neurofeedback training**: Children learn to regulate physiological arousal associated with anxiety
  by controlling in-game elements through a biofeedback heart rate monitor (Garmin watch or other
  compatible HRV device).
- **Attention Bias Modification (ABM)**: Retrains attentional patterns away from threat cues —
  a core driver of chronic anxiety.
- **Exposure therapy**: Gradual, game-based exposure to fear-inducing scenarios in a safe,
  controlled context, mirroring the active ingredient of CBT.

These techniques are drawn from the same evidence base as CBT but delivered through an immersive
3D game world — making the intervention engaging enough for children to complete, and to practice
skills repeatedly, which is how emotional resilience is built.

## Privacy

PlayNice is deeply committed to child privacy. MindLight never shares any user data with any third
party, ever. A nominal $1 account creation fee (waived with any subscription) serves as explicit
parental consent — ensuring parents are fully informed and in control before a child plays.

## Getting MindLight

- [Get MindLight](https://playmindlight.com/get-mindlight): Account creation and subscription page.
  Includes a short animated video explaining the $1 consent fee, privacy commitment, and subscription
  options. Subscriptions:
    - $6.99/month — single child
    - $9.99/month — up to 5 children (family)
    - $59.99/year — single child
    - $99.00/year — family (up to 5 children)
  A one-year subscription plus a compatible biofeedback device costs approximately the same as a
  single CBT therapy session, making MindLight one of the most cost-effective, accessible, and evidence-based
  anxiety interventions available for children.

- [Hardware Partners](https://playmindlight.com/hardware-partners): Where to purchase compatible biofeedback devices. MindLight works with any Garmin watch that supports heart rate variability (HRV), as well as the Neurosky Mindwave 2 EEG Headset. Compatible devices start at $119 (often on sale for less).  Links to current retail purchasing options are provided on this page.

## The Science

- [Science Overview](https://playmindlight.com/#science): High-level summary of the research
  rationale and RCT outcome data. Includes a chart showing anxiety symptom trajectories for
  MindLight vs. CBT (Coping Cat) across four time points: pre-trial baseline, start of trial,
  +3 months (while children had access to MindLight), and +6 months (after children had stopped
  playing). Both groups show equivalent reductions, with MindLight results maintained across
  all follow-up periods. Page also includes download links to peer-reviewed studies published in
  leading journals indexed by PubMed and top behavioral science publications.

The core RCT findings have been independently replicated by a separate academic research team in
Canada, confirming that results are not limited to the original Dutch trials. In addition, a
dedicated RCT found that MindLight reduces anxiety equally effectively in children diagnosed with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — a population for whom accessible, engaging mental health
interventions are particularly scarce.

Key published RCTs (representative sample):

- Schoneveld et al. (2016). A neurofeedback video game (MindLight) to prevent anxiety in children:
  A randomized controlled trial. *Computers in Human Behavior*, 63, 321–333.
- Schoneveld et al. (2018). RCT comparing MindLight to Coping Cat (gold-standard CBT program),
  demonstrating non-inferior outcomes at post-intervention, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up.
- Wijnhoven et al. (2020). Effects of MindLight on anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
  A randomized controlled trial. *Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry*, 68.
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005791618302775
- Wijnhoven et al. (2022). Additive effect of CBT elements on MindLight for children with ASD.
  *Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders*, 52, 150–168.

## For Parents

- [Blog](https://playmindlight.com/blog): Short articles written by Dr. Isabela Granic (lead
  researcher) explaining the science behind MindLight in plain language — how neurofeedback works,
  what anxiety looks like in children, and how gameplay builds real coping skills.
- [Support & FAQ](https://playmindlight.com/support): Answers to common questions about gameplay,
  account setup, hardware setup and troubleshooting for biofeedback devices.

## Media Coverage

- [News](https://playmindlight.com/#news): Press coverage of MindLight including features in
  *Time Magazine*, *Scientific American*, and the *CBC*, among others.

## Optional

- [llms-full.txt](https://playmindlight.com/llms-full.txt): Extended version of this file with
  full blog post text and complete FAQ content, for AI agents that benefit from deeper context.