Zadrian Ardi, Ade Herdian Putra, Chiedu Eseadi, Melati Binti Sumari
High stress levels and heavy workloads make individuals in their productive years, especially women, vulnerable to anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD) and depression. This vulnerability not only increases the risk of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) but also creates a reciprocal relationship where psychosomatic symptoms exacerbate anxiety. Unfortunately, patient awareness and acceptance of psychological support remain low in developing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Turkey. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and validate GETO, an online counseling application rooted in local wisdom and employing a gamified exposure therapy approach that is valid, practical, and effective in reducing anxiety among FGID patients. Using the Successive Approximation Model (SAM) to guide platform development, the application was tested with 335 respondents across Asia and Africa. Research findings indicate that exposure therapy integrated with game elements (gamified exposure therapy) increases patient engagement levels by 62% compared to conventional methods. © 2025 IEEE.
Universitas Negeri Padang, Dept. Guidance and Counseling, Padang, Indonesia; University of Johannesburg, Dept. of Educational Psychology, Johannesburg, South Africa; Universiti Malaya Kuala, Dept. of Educational Psychology and Counseling, Lumpur, Malaysia
