2/01/2006
Study shows video games reduce pain
posted 11:10am EST Fri Jan 27 2006 - submitted by Doug Osborne
BLURB
How many of you play video games when you are feeling ill? I know I have on several occasions. Now, a new study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia shows that video games not only reduce pain, but certain types of games are more accomplished at it.During the pain study, participants played 6 different types of video games: action, arcade, boxing, fighting, puzzle, and sports. While all game types had some degree of success, fighting and sports games were the most effective in pain distraction. According to Dr. Bryan Radenbush, director of undergraduate research, "These gaming distractions may be most helpful in children and young adults undergoing painful procedures or suffering from chronic pain." He also added, "Physicians could possibly implement this in their office to aid in distraction during a painful procedure such as injection or dental work." Now, while playing a video game during a root canal may be out of the question, Dr. Radenbush suggests that games could be used in the waiting rooms for those patients expecting painful procedures. Read more at Gamasutra.
BLURB
How many of you play video games when you are feeling ill? I know I have on several occasions. Now, a new study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia shows that video games not only reduce pain, but certain types of games are more accomplished at it.During the pain study, participants played 6 different types of video games: action, arcade, boxing, fighting, puzzle, and sports. While all game types had some degree of success, fighting and sports games were the most effective in pain distraction. According to Dr. Bryan Radenbush, director of undergraduate research, "These gaming distractions may be most helpful in children and young adults undergoing painful procedures or suffering from chronic pain." He also added, "Physicians could possibly implement this in their office to aid in distraction during a painful procedure such as injection or dental work." Now, while playing a video game during a root canal may be out of the question, Dr. Radenbush suggests that games could be used in the waiting rooms for those patients expecting painful procedures. Read more at Gamasutra.
