Games For Health News

When I Get That Feeling I Need Virtual Healing, Virtual Healing Baby

Wired news has posted an article about the use of VR Goggles being used to help soldiers in the Iraq War cope with returning home. Check it out here: VR Goggles Heal Scars of War. Although this concept isn't exactly new, with work being done to help burn patients, and people with phobias, this is the first time I heard about using VR to help Soldiers. The actual example given, makes the problem seem much worse than I would have thought as well. "Snipers are very tough in general, and during the session, he kept saying, 'I'm fine.' But I had him hooked up with physiological monitors, and when I asked him to tell the story of what happened, his system went through the roof. . . He flew out of his wheelchair in public once, and started pounding on a guy who said we shouldn't be in Iraq," Spira said. "But over time, as the therapy continued, he became calmer and was able to get along with people better." Dr. Sprira is the head of the San Diego Naval Medical Center's Health Psychology Program. Anything that can be done to help the people who are sacrificing so much to fight for our country deal with the hardships that come with it deserves are praise. I realize that is isn't exactly a game, but it is repurposed gaming technology, and I hope most of you find it pertinent.

Nintendo is Good for the Soul

Nintendo, hot on the success of "Brain Training for Adults", and other more adult oriented games like"Trauma Center: Under the Knife" and "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney". Nintendo knows when they have a good trend on their hands. The following quote, I found at "mbf tod@y," is part of a press release from Nintendo

Is there any science behind the gameplay? Relationship psychologist Susan Quilliam has reviewed the implications of the virtual puppy and found that it can not only help develop our attention spans and motor skills, but also improves our ability to solve problems and think creatively The "nintendogs" concept is easily grasped - you're responsible for a pet, and must offer regular food, exercise and entertainment if you want to keep it happy (however, the good news is that the pet never dies). Susan Quilliam found that the game teaches us how to bond and provides us with a sense of nurture and responsibility. But it can also have emotional effects, helping to raise self-esteem and develop strategic thinking. This is supported by research to coincide with the report, which reveals that nearly half of parents believe that owning a pet can teach the owner about a variety of emotions. The survey asked dog lovers what they think are the positive benefits of a virtual pet. Forty three (43) per cent said lower vet bills (!), 39 per cent said it was because they wouldn't have to go for a daily walk and 35 per cent thought it would be tidier. Is it finally time to replace your household pet with a virtual one?

check it out here: Virtual Pets are Good for You

Games for the Brain

I ran across a new website on my travels about the internet posted on Kotaku. There isn't really that much to say about it but the new, at least to me, site GamesfortheBrain.com has a list of rather interesting games that are designed to tax your brain, it seems like a website with the same premise as the Brain Training for Adults available in Japan on the Nintendo DS. Even with the brain improving context it is probably still best to avoid these games at work.

Drug-abuse Game Kills Gamers

The Houston Chronicle has an article about a drug abuse game that usually ends with the players dying. Unlike most drug based games where the player earns money from drugs or uses them with no ill affect Downward Spiral usually ends with the player dying. Designed at Texas Christian University, the game is used to council adicts to get off drugs before it is too late. Read more here: HoustonChronicle.com