Healthy Outlook Blog

With the majority of Americans playing some form of game daily, the moment is rapidly approaching when games will hold as much of our free time as other forms of media. The potential for games to provide health and wellness is exciting and is being explored in many different ways. While the field is still quite young and there are surely intersections that have not yet begun to be explored, some of the interesting emerging directions include: Exergaming (Games for Fitness), Games as Therapy, Persuasive Health Games and Teaching Games.

Exergaming
Advancements in technology like the Sony Move and Wii Fit, are driving the consumer game market. These new interfaces change the way that players interact with and play virtual games. The technology is becoming extremely precise and offers fun ways to get off the couch and start moving. We met with companies like Exergame Fitness, who are enhancing exercise equipment with gameplay as a way to engage kids and battle childhood obesity.

Games as Therapy
This is a fascinating direction within the burgeoning field. A recent study from East Carolina University shows how casual games may help boost your mood and help cope with depression and anxiety.

Persuasive Health Games
To help convince players to make positive changes in their lifestyles, doctors are using the immersive power of video games. To reinforce health behaviors, doctors and designers are looking for the most influential and fun ways to change people’s lives.

Teaching Games
Doctors can now be surgically trained virtually, using Wii remotes they learn without the risk of injuring patients. Games are also being developed to help doctors’ observation skills so that they are better at determining patient health.

These are several examples of the many directions in which healthcare professionals, researchers and game designers are moving. Healthymagination will be further navigating each of these issues in the next few weeks and months.