We recently told you how videogames are being used to cure migrane headaches, and now it looks like a similar approach is being taken to chronic pain.
It seems that virtual reality can offer as much relief as pain meds, and a Simon Fraser University professor is working to find out why.
"Controlling pain through computerized VR and biofeedback meditation therapies has the promise of providing successful, cost-effective alternatives to pain medications," said Diane Gromala, founding director of SFU's BioMedia lab. "There is a real demand for this kind of therapy."
Distraction is the name of the game here. Their controlled experiments show that subjects fully immersed in VR report less pain than their drug-using counterparts. Man, I've got to try this game!
Gromala says that this also gives patients a way to gain some control over their suffering while waiting for treatment.
[Via Canada.com - Thanks, JR]
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
11:33 AM on 12.17.2007
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but maybe now I understand why i'd come home from work, start playing a game, and the headache seem to calm down.
Whoever drew this picture IS on fucking drugs.
just look at that smirk on his face. it's classic.
But me, playing Geometry Wars Galaxies for the Wii gives me a headache because it fucking pisses me off. So I make sure to do a lot of drugs before I play that.
It gives you AIDS, too. All that unprotected sex with people and objects.
(been there done that)
although when used in combination (especially with games like REZ) drugs and videogames become an unstoppable duo!
and who the hell is this "JR?" he's stealing my real life name. not cool, bro.