| Games both video and computer have been for | | | | elevated blood pressure and pulse beating. |
| years looked down on as evil and a negative | | | | Games are now playing a definitive role in |
| influence on society. However, recent | | | | therapy. Some games introduce images or |
| research indicates that games play a | | | | stimulus to the mind like aromas or natural |
| significant role in healing. Studies indicate | | | | happenings like a river flowing or an |
| that playing games helps divert a patient's | | | | avalanche. Many studies are focusing on "The |
| mind from pain and for many patients, games | | | | state of Cognitive Exercise with digital Game |
| are a form of physiotherapy as they exercise | | | | Play," where the use of games in treating |
| the fingers and muscles of the arms and oil | | | | diseases like Alzheimer is being addressed. |
| the wheels of the mind. In fact, children | | | | |
| suffering from autism learn a great many | | | | That gaming is recognized as a healer by |
| social skills from games they play. | | | | medical communities across the US is |
| | | | established by the fact that the "Get-Well |
| Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent | | | | Gamers Foundation" collects unused games and |
| University, has conducted in depth studies on | | | | consoles from avid gamers for distribution to |
| gaming and found that "gaming can be a useful | | | | children's wards at hospitals across the US. |
| tool in healthcare, games can distract kids | | | | |
| and adults undergoing painful treatments." | | | | The new regimen in healing is to combine |
| In fact children undergoing chemotherapy for | | | | exercises with gaming. For example a patient |
| diseases like sickle cell anemia deal with | | | | who needs to be motivated to complete therapy |
| the disease better when they play games that | | | | sessions can be induced by connecting the |
| absorb their attention completely. Sick | | | | bicycle to a video game that engages the |
| children who occupied their minds playing | | | | patient's mind. Ciprian Docan of Rutgers |
| video or computer games required lower doses | | | | University has modified a home video game to |
| of pain medication and tended to suffer less | | | | assist stroke patients with hand movements |
| from hypertension and nausea than children | | | | and exercises. |
| who were asked to just rest. According to | | | | |
| Griffiths an expert in the field, games | | | | Work by Karen Grimmer and her team in |
| benefit children suffering from attention | | | | Adelaide Women and Children's hospital showed |
| deficit disorders too. | | | | that children suffering from severe burns |
| | | | feel less pain and discomfort when their |
| A conference on gaming showcased the fact | | | | minds are completely immersed in a virtual |
| that computer and video games promoted | | | | reality game. Games therefore served as |
| awareness in nutrition, lifestyle choices, | | | | appositive healing tool and helped children |
| and medical skills. According to experts, | | | | overcome great pan and discomfort. |
| games helped reduce stress and healed people | | | | |
| with phobias, diabetes, asthma, and cardiac | | | | Contrary to popular beliefs video and |
| diseases. | | | | computer games do have a positive side and, |
| | | | all over the world serious studies are in |
| Games did not just promote anger and | | | | progress of how games can be utilized in |
| aggression but improved co-ordination skills, | | | | health care. |
| focus, and concentration, and steadied | | | | |