Video Games May Have a Healing Side

(HealthScoutNews) -- Video games are constantly being zapped with criticism for their violent content or for distracting children from getting enough exercise.

But a new study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia says video games may offer potential benefits as a method of pain management.

The study suggests the games can distract a person's attention from pain and provide relief to children and others who suffer with chronic pain.

The researchers assessed different kinds of video game distractions and personality characteristics on pain threshold, tolerance and ratings.

Study volunteers played a mental video game and an active video game before and during pain testing. Researchers measured the volunteers' pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.

The volunteers also filled out questionnaires that asked about their competitiveness, aggressiveness and video game playing habits.

The study found the active video game reduced pain ratings and increased pain tolerance compared to the mental video game and baseline condition.

Personality characteristics of aggressiveness, competitiveness and prior video game playing habits weren't a significant factor in affecting pain measures.

The study will be presented in June at the conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.

More information

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