Video games more effective than medication for pain?

by David Hinkle { Dec 18th 2007 at 12:00PM }

Wii Fanboy has presented many stories about how the Wii has been able to help those in need. Whether it be soldiers dealing with combat wounds or the local retirement homes' residents stay active, it's a system that has amazed one and all. Now, a Canadian researcher is finding that video games on the whole have become quite the aid for those with chronic pain.

The case of the Wii is especially interesting in regards to this study, because it's been shown to be an excellent physical therapy tool. Not only that, but the immersion factor has to be higher than that of the other current-gen systems. Sure, they have more photo-realistic graphics, but what gets you into the game more? Personally, we're pro-Wii, but then you probably knew that typing in the URL to our blog or however else you got here (tapping your heels together?).

Tags: fitness, pain, therapy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Troy @ Dec 18th 2007 12:18PM

I personally think it's much more immersive because I am actually willing to play Wii. I can't really 'get into' something I think I stupid: i.e. Halo. All good Xbox games eventually come out for the DS anyway.

James @ Dec 19th 2007 2:18PM

Sorry, I just chuckled a bit at the idea of Bioshock DS. Not that I wouldn't play it, mind you, but I'm not exactly expecting it any time soon.

stephie @ Dec 18th 2007 12:28PM

Sorry, not related, but Amazon has wii's in stock! I just ordered one!

Serenity @ Dec 18th 2007 3:29PM

I could have told you that =p

I can't take many meds because I'm allergic to most of them, unfortunately I also used to get sick as a kid a lot. the only thing that would help were in depth RPG's or fighting video game. It really helped when meds couldn't. ^_-

Max Headroom @ Dec 18th 2007 3:09PM

Yeah, my dad has chronic back pain and I've seen him play Wii Bowling without so much as a single complaint. And normally he is in pain from just walking around. He used to love real bowling and now he can focus on the game again and not on his pain. The only problem is that he has to remember to take it easy, or he could end up hurting himself even more.

As a side note, when we first got the Wii, it was my dad who taught me how to play bowling on it. He raised my score from sub-100 to over 250 by teaching me some proper techniques. It was crazy (but fun) to have my dad teaching me how to play a video game.