Posted by Kim on March 29, 2011, 8:15pm
Since you all enjoyed Jane McGonigal's presentation back on day 3, I wanted to direct your attention to an interview that TED did with her after she gave that lecture.In it, she discusses a game that she developed specifically to help herself heal from a serious concussion that caused brain injury. That game is now one of the first ever to go through clinical trials, and she is hoping that the results of those trials will prove what she experienced: Games can have real healing power.
"When I first decided to make this game, I had a very epic, important meeting with my doctor. It had been about a month, and I was having very slow recovery from the concussion, so they diagnosed post-concussion recovery syndrome. She said that if I was feeling stress and anxiety or depression or loneliness ”” that these emotions get in the way of the brain healing itself. They see in a lot of patients this vicious cycle. You get depressed because you're not getting well, and then that depression slows you down even more. You have to break that cycle. If you miss the first month of recovery, then on average it's three months, and if you miss that window then it's six months, and if you miss that then it's a year. I was looking forward to possibly a year of not being able to think straight, of not being able to be in public spaces. It made me so depressed and anxious and despairing that I thought there was no way I was going to break the cycle.
It just came to me, coming home from the doctor, I have to make this a game...."
-Jane McGonigal
It just came to me, coming home from the doctor, I have to make this a game...."
-Jane McGonigal
Read more here
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Comments
The old point and click adventure games are a good thing to play when not well. The puzzles are good to keep the mind occupied but they have a relaxed pace so your not getting into a frenzy trying to shoot the bad guys.
Some strategy games have the same effect too, Sim City and Civilization come to mind, again somewhat relaxed but interesting.
Some strategy games have the same effect too, Sim City and Civilization come to mind, again somewhat relaxed but interesting.
I'd like to play some healing video games! Most just piss me off after an hour xD
Love the new templates! The scrollbar is awesome!
Love the new templates! The scrollbar is awesome!
The healing power of Tetris just absolutely tickles me. I wonder if games like the Sims would have similar effects. Personally I know that when I am feeling sick and sore, self-medicating with video games just seems natural.
Apologies, there were a few hick ups with this update. It should all be sorted out now. Thank you to everyone who sent in super fast bug reports, hopefully together we have headed off the issues fast enough that most people won't even know they occurred.
To be clear: Yes, this is a scrollbox layout. That's not a bug. A similar template minus the scrollbox is forthcoming.
Apologies, there were a few hick ups with this update. It should all be sorted out now. Thank you to everyone who sent in super fast bug reports, hopefully together we have headed off the issues fast enough that most people won't even know they occurred.
To be clear: Yes, this is a scrollbox layout. That's not a bug. A similar template minus the scrollbox is forthcoming.
I've heard of video games being used in the treatment of people with burn injuries. If you're playing something relaxing that doesn't have a huge 'excitement' component but does have a large 'distraction' component, patients report lower pain levels while the game is going on.
I think the one they were using was Tetris (or a clone of some sort), hehe!
I think the one they were using was Tetris (or a clone of some sort), hehe!
Adorable! I do like the newer, more feminine templates.
And sent in a bug report.
And sent in a bug report.
Pretty templates...*-*
I like the idea of healing video-games
I like the idea of healing video-games
Ooooo pretty flowers!
And videogames that are clinical? AMazing!
Also yay new widgets!!
And videogames that are clinical? AMazing!
Also yay new widgets!!
Daphne_Wreathed
April 13, 2011
6:26pm
I also love how much and how well she uses the word "epic"