Communications of the ACM
Videogame Power Harnessed For Positive Goals
The immersive power of videogames is being used to encourage kids to develop healthy eating and to help seniors maintain brain functions.
Credit: Gigaom
U.S. researchers are praising video games for their positive effects on health, learning, and other social goals. "Games can have a positive impact, particularly with psychological functions," says North Carolina State University researcher Jason Allaire, who recently led a study that found seniors who play digital games showed higher levels of emotional well-being than non-players. "There is no evidence to show that playing a violent video game can cause you to engage in violent behaviors," Allaire says.
A University of Toronto study has shown that playing shooting or driving video games can improve the ability to search for a hidden target. Boston Children's Hospital researchers have been using a spaceship-shooting game to help children with anger problems regulate their emotions. When their heart rate goes above a certain level, players lose the ability to shoot, teaching them skills to keep calm.
A 2004 study found that surgeons who played video games made fewer errors because of improved focus and coordination. "There are so many ways games can be used to have this kind of an impact, and clearly one of the big ways is awareness learning," says University of Michigan researcher Carrie Heeter.
From Agence France-Presse
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