Recent research shows that playing non-violent, casual video games may reduce anxiety and depression for subjects who suffer from these ailments.

A study conducted in the East Carolina Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic and underwritten by PopCap, found that patients that had depression reduced their symptoms by more than half after playing some casual games such as Bejeweled 2, Peggle and Bookworm Adventures. The study took 59 patients and divided them up into two groups. The first group of 30 could play some games. While the rest were used as a control group, and were asked to surf the internet during that time, specifically to check out National Institutes of Mental Health’s Web page on depression, according to USA Today.

Patients who played the games were significantly less depressed than their counterparts with a 57 percent decrease in symptoms and an overall improvement in mood. There was also a 20 percent decrease in anxiety levels.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate the intrinsic value of certain casual games in terms of significant, positive effects on the moods and anxiety levels of people suffering from any level of depression,” said Dr. Carmen Russoniello, the director of ECU’s psychophysiology lab and biofeedback clinic in a statement.

“Given that only 25 percent of people who suffer from depression are receiving treatment, it seems prudent to make these low cost, readily accessible casual games video games available to those who need them. They should be made available at health clinics, community centers, online ‘medical sites,’ and given out by therapists as a means of intervention,” she added.

Digital Trends reports that the benefits of playing video games by depressed patients were gauged and reported both in the short term (after 30 minutes) and in the long term (after a month).