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