Videogames Used to Treat ADHD

deeptrace writes "USA today has an article about a videogame based treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It uses NASA derived technology to measure brainwave activity while playing videogames. Clinical psychologist Henry Owens says 'If they just play videogames on their own, they will zone out. When they play on this system, if they zone out [as detected by brainwave activity], the videogame doesn't respond any more' This is supposed to help the patient increase the ability to focus and concentrate."

Great!

[Anonymous Coward]

That's perfect for

Wait a minute...

[Anonymous Coward]

Zoning out is a symptom of ADHD? Dang. I think I need see my doctor.

Re:AD[H]D has gone way too far.

[zephc]

"How about encouraging the "patient" to go outside or do something constructive, instead of coercing him into repeating a mindless task for no real reward."

You repeat the tasks to gain experience points. Duh.

First you get the xp, then you get the gold. Then you get the women.

Unreal Tournament 2004 doesn't work against that..

[Jugalator]

... as this kid [break.com] testifies? :-)

Re:Great!

[Anonymous Coward]

Reminds me of a joke ...

Q. What's the best solution to deal with an ADHD kid?
A. Send them to concentration camp!

Re:Unreal Tournament 2004 doesn't work against tha

[mabba18]

The funny thing is, he's actually playing solitaire.

*Slaying* Spyro the Dragon?

[bjepson]

What kind of monsters are these researchers, anyhow?!

Whether speeding down a virtual street in Sony's Gran Turismo or slaying Spyro the Dragon, researchers hope games such as these will improve the lives of those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, or cognitive-processing difficulties.

Poor Spyro [wikipedia.org]...

Wow, it uses...

[thrill12]

...NASA technology ! That must be good right ? Just like the:

NASA mattresses [absoluteco...onsale.com]
NASA Chiropractors [yournorthhills.com]
NASA food [jumpstartinc.org]
NASA Anthrax detectors [udetection.com]
NASA Waterheaters [tanklesswa...online.com]
NASA shine [idbooth.com]
NASA golf clubs [nr-golf.com]
etc. etc. etc....

Heck, just write NASA in front of your name and your all of a sudden a brilliant, top performing (name your profession here).

NASA thrill12 (uses NASA technology).

Re:Great!

[Descalzo]

Q: How many kids with ADHD does it take to change a light bulb?
A: I don't know, how ma
Q: Wanna ride bikes?

Re:Great!

[quizzicus]

Tom Cruise, is that you?

Re:Personally I think this is paranoid rubbish

[Liam Slider]

Let's get this straight, I hate the way the U.S. thinks it can solve all it's problems with guns, pills and suing the crap out of each other.

Well, if we fed enough pills to the people who sue people all the time and shot all the doctors who overprescribe drugs we wouldn't have a problem now would we?