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Using Video Games to Solve Health Problems


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Researchers Use Electronic Breath Game to Help Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

A recently published study from four University of Vermont researchers shows how an electronic breath game is safe and helped patients with cystic fibrosis develop breath awareness.

Researchers tested their game on 10 patients (ages 7 to 17) hospitalized with cystic fibrosis. The breath game consists of patients breathing in and out of a digital spirometer to control the path of a green circle inside of a sine wave. Inhaling controls the circle’s downward movement, while exhaling causes the circle to move up. Each patient was given six 15-minute sessions to play the game.

Researchers say the major benefit from this study is that the game motivated players to improve breathing pattern performance.

“As players gain mastery of an environment responsive to their own breathing, they may increasingly reflect on and communicate about their breathing experiences with family and peers,” the study says. “This is significant because social support for reflection and discussion itself represents a valid objective for an electronic game for health” (p. 340).

We applaud these researchers for this healthy technological innovation. What a stark contrast to the destructive and time-wasting possibilities that many video games offer today’s youth.
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Categories: Physical Health

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