Study Finds Biofeedback using Video Games Helps Children Curb Anger Issues

For many children struggling with intense anger and aggression, traditional talk therapy alone often isn’t enough—especially when kids aren’t interested in sitting still and talking through their feelings. Medications can be effective, but many parents worry about side effects or long-term use.

That’s why researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) set out to meet kids where they already are: in the world of video games.

The result? An innovative tool called RAGE-Control, a space-themed video game that helps kids learn to calm themselves down in real time—without needing medication.

How It Works: Turning Self-Regulation into a Game

RAGE-Control stands for Regulate and Gain Emotional Control. The game itself is fast-paced and non-violent, designed to look and feel like something kids actually want to play. Players aim to shoot down enemy targets, but there’s a catch: they wear a heart rate sensor, and if their heart rate gets too high (a sign of frustration or stress), they lose the ability to shoot.

To succeed, they have to stay calm under pressure. In therapy sessions, they’re taught breathing and relaxation techniques, which they then apply while playing. Over time, this helps them gain better control over their physiological stress response—one of the root challenges behind anger outbursts.

What the Research Found

Boston Children’s Hospital conducted two key studies to evaluate the impact of RAGE-Control:

The Pilot Study

In an inpatient unit, children ages 9–17 with severe anger issues were split into two groups. One received standard therapy. The other added just 15 minutes of RAGE-Control each day.

• Results: The RAGE-Control group showed significant improvement in their ability to manage heart rate, and their anger scores decreased meaningfully.
• They also said the therapy felt more helpful—and they reported feeling more in control of their emotions.

The Gold Standard: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A larger outpatient study followed 40 youths ages 10–17, all of whom received 10 weeks of structured anger management therapy. Half played the real RAGE-Control game, and half played a “sham” version that didn’t respond to heart rate.

• Both groups reported feeling less angry, but only the kids using the real RAGE-Control game showed big improvements in behavior.
• Parents and clinicians noticed fewer aggressive or oppositional outbursts, and the game players were better able to lower their heart rate over time—suggesting they had truly learned to calm their body and mind when under stress.

Why This Matters for Families Seeking Non-Medication Options

The takeaway? While RAGE-Control didn’t eliminate feelings of anger, it helped kids control what they did with those feelings. That’s a critical skill for real-world situations—whether at school, at home, or with friends.

This approach shows strong promise as part of a drug-free treatment plan for kids struggling with emotional regulation. It offers:

• A fun, engaging way for kids to practice calming strategies
• A concrete way to measure progress using heart rate
• A proven method for reducing behavioral outbursts

For parents seeking non-medication ADHD or behavioral treatments, tools like RAGE-Control and its commercial follow-up, Mightier, offer new hope.

Final Thought

If your child struggles with anger, oppositional behavior, or emotional outbursts—and traditional therapy alone hasn’t been enough—biofeedback games may offer a fresh, research-backed option. 

At the Center for Attention Deficit and Learning Disorders, we’re committed to finding the right blend of therapies to support lasting emotional growth, without jumping straight to medication.