0731 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIDEO GAME USE, GAME GENRE, AND LUCID/CONTROL DREAMING

Abstract

Introduction: Lucid dreaming has been shown to reduce nightmares and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression; however, only 20% of adults report regular lucid dreaming and lucidity training techniques are not always successful. Improving induction techniques should enhance lucid dreaming's therapeutic usefulness. Video game play, with a high level of immersion in fictional settings, similar to dreaming, has been associated with greater lucid/control dreaming frequency. To extend past research, we investigated whether time spent gaming, video game engagement, and particular video game genres were related to more lucid/control dreaming. Method(s): 297 students (M=20 years old, SD=1.38) were recruited through campus advertisements and given a chance to win $25 gift cards. Participants read definitions of lucid and control dreaming, completed a demographic questionnaire and the Game Engagement Survey (assessing level of immersion during video game play), and indicated frequency of dream recall, lucid and control dreaming, integration of video game content into dreams, and time spent playing different genres of games. Result(s): More time gaming and higher game engagement were not significantly associated with frequency of lucid or control dreaming. However, more time gaming and higher game engagement were significantly associated with more frequent integration of video game content into remembered dreams (time: r(295)=.498, p =1 day/week) that report remembering their dreams (>=1/week). These relationships persisted in larger participant groups (all participants, gamers, participants with regular dream recall). No other game types showed similarly consistent relationships. Conclusion(s): We found more time spent playing physically interactive games was related to more frequent lucid and control dreaming. Future experimental research should examine whether increasing this type of game play could causally enhance lucid dreaming. Specific gaming could provide an easy and inexpensive method of enhancing induction of this potential therapeutic technique.