Gameology 2.0

A recent news story reports on research by Simon Fraser's Diane Gromala exmaining the potential of gaming systems for therapeutical management of pain.

'Traditionally, patients suffering from chronic pain have been treated with a mixture of physical therapy, counselling and potentially addictive anti-pain medications.

Professor Gromala believes immersive environments such as virtual reality games could allow patients to improve their health and reduce their pain, especially while waiting for other forms of treatment.

"There is a real demand for this kind of therapy. As Canada's baby-boomers enter old age, pain management looms as a huge public-health issue," she said.'

Chalk another one up to the potentially beneficial aspects of gaming that nobody will notice? A happy new year to all Gameologists! Perhaps what the Wii really needs is an interactive champagne-glass clinking game. Imagine the increased degree of difficulty across timezones! Chin-chin!