UCF Studying Health Benefits of Video Games

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."

Comments

Must be willing to change

[FredFredrickson]

For a game to be habit changing- the person playing it would NEED to know that it's trying to do that, and be willing to change. They must be willing to try to pick up the new habits the game is trying to teach.

As far as direct health benifits- I wouldn't be surprised if they find games like GTA releive stress. I feel it's a great way to let out some steam after a bad day at work....