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Viewing Did You Know that Video Games Can Heal the Sick?Did You Know that Video Games Can Heal the Sick?
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Games, both video and computer, have been looked down on as a negative influence on society. However, research indicates that games can play a role in healing. Playing games helps divert a patient's mind from pain and is a form of physiotherapy. By Aaron Brooks Games, both video and computer, have been looked down on for years as evil, and a negative influence on society. However, recent research indicates that games play a significant role in healing. Studies indicate that playing games helps divert a patient's mind from pain and for many patients, games are a form of physiotherapy as they exercise the fingers and muscles of the arms and oil the wheels of the mind. In fact, children suffering from autism learn a great many social skills from games they play. Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent University, has conducted in-depth studies on gaming, and found that 'gaming can be a useful tool in healthcare, games can distract kids and adults undergoing painful treatments.' In fact, children undergoing chemotherapy for diseases like sickle cell anemia deal with the disease better when they play games that absorb their attention completely. Sick children who occupy their minds playing video or computer games require lower doses of pain medication and tend to suffer less from hypertension and nausea than children who are asked to just rest. According to Griffiths, an expert in the field, games benefit children suffering from attention deficit disorders as well. A conference on gaming showcased the fact that computer and video games promote awareness in nutrition, lifestyle choices, and medical skills. According to experts, games help reduce stress and heal people with phobias, diabetes, asthma, and cardiac diseases. Games do not just promote anger and aggression, but improve co-ordination skills, focus, and concentration, and steady elevated blood pressure and irregular pulse. Games are now playing a definitive role in therapy. Some games introduce images or stimuli to the mind - like aromas or natural happenings like a river flowing or an avalanche. Many studies are focusing on the state of cognitive exercise with digital game play, where the use of games in treating diseases like Alzheimer's is being addressed. That gaming is recognized as a healer by medical communities across the US is established by the fact that the 'Get-Well Gamers Foundation' collects unused games and consoles from avid gamers for distribution to children's wards at hospitals across the US. The new regimen in healing is to combine exercises with gaming. For example, a patient who needs to be motivated to complete therapy sessions can be induced by connecting the bicycle to a video game that engages the patient's mind. Ciprian Docan of Rutgers University has modified a home video game to assist stroke patients with hand movements and exercises. Work by Karen Grimmer and her team in Adelaide Women and Children's Hospital shows that children suffering from severe burns feel less pain and discomfort when their minds are completely immersed in a virtual reality game. Games therefore serve as an appositive healing tool and help children overcome great pain and discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, video and computer games do have a positive side, and all over the world, serious studies are in progress regarding how games can be utilized in health care. About the Author: Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for Play Free Games, the premier website to play thousands of free online games - including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games, and more. He also freelances for the premier revenue sharing discussion forum for online games: www.1888discuss.com/online-games. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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