Games both video and computer have been for years looked down on
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 occupied their minds playing video or computer games
required lower doses of pain medication and tended to suffer less from
hypertension and nausea than children who were asked to just rest.
According to Griffiths an expert in the field, games benefit children
suffering from attention deficit disorders too.
A conference on
gaming showcased the fact that computer and video games promoted
awareness in nutrition, lifestyle choices, and medical skills. According
to experts, games helped reduce stress and healed people with phobias,
diabetes, asthma, and cardiac diseases.
