In a connected world such as ours, it can sometimes be surprising to see how technologies interact in new and interesting ways. One such example is the use of games to improve your health and general well-being. Who could have imagined 2 decades ago that what many consider idle pastime could save lives one day?
What are Serious Games?
Serious game in an umbrella term which describes the use of entertainment technologies for non-entertainment purposes. Such use cases could include, but are not limited to business, motivation, productivity and healthcare. The end goal of a serious game is to use technologies otherwise reserved for entertaining people and employ them to achieve a business goal.
The significance of Serious Games in healthcare:
Serious games marries the domain expertise of game designers, game developers and subject matter experts to develop simulations that use gamification and principles of engagement to satisfy an objective that does not involve entertainment. As it turns out, this combination can have remarkable consequences as explained below:
1) Training Healthcare Professionals: Training is an important part of a trainee doctor’s life. Given the emission critical nature of their work involving life and limb, there are zero margin for errors. Serious games provide a safe and fertile ground for honing existing skills, or to experiment with new tools and techniques without any serious consequences.
2) Psychological Preparation: Patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures can get anxious and overwhelmed which in turn can cause more pain as anxiety can render painkillers ineffective. Using virtual reality simulations, the patient can be calmed and prepared for surgery. Serious games can also be used to educate the patient about the procedure they are about to undergo and how to prepare and cope with the operation.
3) Advancing Medical Science: Medical science is evolving at a rapid pace and there are new medicines and procedures constantly under development. In such cases, serious games involving virtual reality technology can provide the much needed virtual human models for experimentation.
4) Helping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders: In this modern world, there is a significant increase in people who are suffering from brain disorders. With the help of AR and VR, we can develop simulations to help them manage patient conditions more effectively. Patients can be given a guided experience and data can be collected for further analysis.
Case studies of serious games in Healthcare developed by MAGES Institute of excellence Students:
● Chest Pain Management: Chest pain is a common problem, but many a times a single cause or factor is difficult to identify. Lack of adequate training in such cases can cause misdiagnosis. The chest pain management app was designed for nurses to be able to effectively diagnose and treat chest pain ailments.
● Fly Home: This game is specially designed for the benefit of elder people. This game lets them perform light exercise that will be helpful for their health. This serious game focuses on the flexing movement of shoulders. The game allows for the moment of the bird to be controlled by real physical motion of the player using the Kinect motion sensing technology.
● Wheel-a-Way: Though disability isn’t something one can control, one can always find ways to overcome it and give life a new start. Towards that end, MAGES Institute of excellence has developed a VR simulation to teach the use and functioning of a motorized wheelchair in a safe and familiar environment of Singapore HDB houses. It’s a great asset for people who have received a motorized wheelchair for the first time and want to learn how to use it in their day-to-day life.
Apart from these, there are many other AR and VR serious games that are available on our website. These simulations enable patients and medical practitioners to enhance their overall adaptability and learning processes. Visit our website and learn more about them while you play these useful serious games that are designed to improve healthcare.In a connected world such as ours, it can sometimes be surprising to see how technologies interact in new and interesting ways. One such example is the use of games to improve your health and general well-being. Who could have imagined 2 decades ago that what many consider idle pastime could save lives one day?
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