The Symptoms Of The Black Death In Order

When the game is a therapeutic tool

Using video games to deal with emotional conflicts and somatic alterations is not new. By cons, as games like this, serious games, are specially designed to be part of a psychological treatment is much more original, if not unique if more game interacts with the emotions of the patient recorded by sensors.

This innovation was developed in the framework of a European project called PlayMancer which brought together for 3 years from November 2007 to November 2010, eight partners from six different countries including Spain [1]. Each partner has had its role, that of the English partner, Bellvitge Hospital in Barcelona and its units responsible for eating disorders and pathological gambling, was in this case to define the scenarios that the game had to offer to perform its function therapy.

Since last September, the video game is now used regularly validated by the hospital. To its designers, the main objective of this tool original treatment is to teach its users to control their impulses and respond by demonstrating self-control and serenity in the face of stressful situations and frustration, typical manifestations of eating disorders and gambling addiction.

The main objective of the proposed scenario is to get out of an island. The data collected by sensors that detect facial expressions and voice as well as physiological reactions of the patient, can change the course of the game is only coming to check that the patient can "win the game" .

A preliminary study involving 30 patients and 30 control individuals showed that in accordance with the expectations of researchers, patients had improved behavior through play But to definitively proven, it must have been tested longer and more patient. So one solution: "Start again"!


For more information, contact:

[1] Website of the European project PlayMancer: http://www.playmancer.eu/

Source:

- Reference [1]
the brief - the press release dated February 7, 2011 Idibell Foundation Hospital Bellvitge
- La Vanguardia of February 8, 2011