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UCF Studying Health Benefits of Video Games

Posted by timothy on from the don't-use-the-wii-corkscrew dept.

Hyppy writes "The University of Central Florida College of Medicine announced Friday that it received a $200,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to explore how interactive digital games could be designed to improve player's health behaviors and outcomes. One study to be conducted seeks to learn if role-playing games can help keep sober alcoholics from relapsing."

1 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Must be willing to change by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    It's the opposite. To change a person habit, the player must NOT be aware of the goal of the game. It's easier to influence someone when he doesn't know you are trying to manipulate him.

    As for GTA relieving stress, I seriously doubt it. Unlike a game like Carmageddon, it is not presented as a joke. It may help someone forget about his problem while playing, but as soon as he stop playing, he'll feel as miserable as before.