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Health Games
Game production
What is a Health Game?
A “health game” is classified as a “serious game”. The term “serious games” generally refers to games that are intended to impart knowledge in an entertaining way and have a benefit for the real world. “Health games” in particular are used for medical research and the treatment of patients. They are mainly implemented digitally and often aim to be as immersive as possible.
Pain Relief Through Gaming
The “SnowWorld” pain relief game was designed and developed at the University of Washington in Seattle for people with severe burns. It can reduce patients' subjective perception of pain by 30 to 50 percent. During the dressing change, players use a VR headset to move around in an immersive virtual environment in a wintry setting and throw snowballs at targets. You can find out more in the article “SnowWorld melts away pain for burn patients, using virtual reality snowballs”
Fantasy role-playing as self-help
The self-help fantasy role-playing game “SPARX” was published in collaboration with the University of Auckland (New Zealand). The game is primarily aimed at young people with depressive symptoms. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy. In the game, patients first create their own avatar. Its ability is to shoot fireballs at negative thoughts. The players travel through a total of 7 different worlds where they have to solve puzzles and tasks. In doing so, they learn how to deal with negative thoughts and implement strategies to solve problems.
Game trains fine motor skills
The Wii U game “Underground” was developed to train the fine motor skills of laparoscopic surgeons. According to the Dutch Ministry of Health, this training is often neglected in the training of surgeons, which can lead to complications during operations. “Underground” improves motor skills by using typical game challenges and making use of the Wii Motion Plus remote control.
shooter game against cancer
“Re-Mission” by HopeLab Studios is a 3D shooter game for children and young people with cancer. In the game, users control a nanorobot called Roxxi through their body and fight tumor cells. The evaluation revealed a significantly higher concentration of chemotherapeutics and antibiotics in the blood of the participants. Disease-related knowledge, self-efficacy expectations and, as a result, the patients' quality of life also improved.
Protein optimization made easy
The video game “Foldit” allows gamers with no prior knowledge to participate in the optimization of proteins. The aim of the game is to create proteins that are as well folded as possible. Using tutorial puzzles, gamers learn step by step how to fold and manipulate the protein structure.
simulation for emergencies
The simulator “ER VR” is the result of a collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the developer studio “ImmersiveVREducation”. As players, trainee doctors take control of a resuscitation room and have to make the right decisions for the patients. The game simulates stressful conditions and prepares medical students for their everyday working life.
Conclusion
Games are often suspected of endangering users' health by causing them to neglect the real world and social contacts. However, “serious games” or “health games” use precisely this pull effect of games to research, treat and train.
Questions & Wishes
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