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