Game Therapy - Treatment through video games

Video games, these days are no more what they used to be till a few years ago. Breaking away from its stereotyped image, gaming is being taken quite seriously these days and there exists a vast market catering to it. There is a huge demand for gaming consoles, like Xbox, PlayStation and Wii, peripherals from Razer or Steel Series and even high-end gaming systems, like the Dell Alienware range or systems from MSI and Asus. However, it is difficult to assess if anyone would have imagined that gaming could have its far reaching effects, even in the medical field. On one side, several teenagers face the ire from their parents for whiling away time with video games, on the other side there are several others, for whom, video gaming isn’t just about mere entertainment. What is Game therapy?Today, gaming has gone wireless and way beyond ‘connected cords and cables.’ Several researches have proven that gaming can help treat/assist patients. First came the Nintendo Wii that allowed you bring outdoor games like golf, bowling and more to your drawing room, while ensuring that you are physically active and not simply playing the game through an avatar on the screen. Now, we have the Microsoft Kinect and PlayStation Move, designed on the similar lines. Basically, these sensor-based gaming consoles, along with specially designed games, serve as an effective tool for treatment. For instance, a paralytic patient can play certain games, which will help improve his flexibility, reach and self confidence. It can help people who have suffered from paralysis and stroke, children suffering from autism, dyslexia and more, and also serves as a distraction for recovering burn victims and as an alternative for anaesthesia in case of minor surgery. 

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