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Video gaming helps you recover from brain surgery

Opinion and Analysis

Researchers are finding that losing oneself in the virtual world of modern interactive entertainment can ease the pain of major surgical procedures.

Researchers are finding that losing oneself in the virtual world of modern interactive entertainment can ease the pain of major surgical procedures.

A report from Reuters is giving an insight into modern medicine approaches to pain management.  Especially for children who may have less of an understanding about what to expect with some of the more intrusive techniques.

Studies, including those performed at the University of South Australia’s Centre of Allied Health Evidence show that there is “strong evidence” in the use of games to manage pain.

This is supported by work done at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.  A published report on children playing a “Street Luge” game, fully kitted up with virtual reality helmet and rumble joypad.  The kids distracted by the game during an intravenous line insertion procedure reported no increase in pain or discomfort, whilst a similar control group – not playing – reported a four fold increase in pain during the procedure.

So it is cruel not to let kiddies play video games.  Seems to me that kids now have evidence to back themselves during arguments with parents.  Now children staying home, too sick to go to school, can play World of Warcraft all day long.

Seemingly the role of the video game in the foreign world of a hospital environment, is simply in bringing a child back towards some environmental normalcy.  A video game can bring some part of home to a child.

Both Sony and Nintendo have been happy to support the introduction of gaming equipment for medical facilities.  Nintendo especially getting into the swing, sponsoring 5000 Fun Centres (consisting of a Wii console) as part of a program run by Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.

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