Pain researchers claim that playing video games can substantially lower the effects of chronic pain. Studies have shown that Virtual Reality (VR or “them vid-ya games” for the people in my home town) can be an important part of a pain management regimen.
“Virtual reality produces a modulating effect that is endogenous, so the analgesic influence is not simply a result of distraction, but may also impact how the brain responds to painful stimuli. The focus is drawn to the game not the pain or the medical procedure, while the virtual reality experience engages visual and other senses,” said Dr. Jeffrey I. Gold, associate professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.
So, in other words if you play “the vid-ya games”, you focus on the game and not the pain. It always amazes me how much money goes into these studies just to find out something that seems obvious. I am not downplaying the importance of pain management, don’t get me wrong. Ask my late grandfather, although I doubt I could get him to sit up and play Grand Theft Auto 4. For children with a chronic pain issue, this could be very helpful. Hopefully, this study will allow for more budget allocations to place video game consoles in children’s hospitals around the country.
In a world that wants to place blame on everything from suicide to vicious murder on the influence of video games to the point were the Supreme Court is getting involved, it is nice to see that someone if focusing on the benefits of video games.
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