Gesturetek Health: "Interactive Technology & Virtual Reality Systems for Therapy & Rehabilitation"

(Pictures from the GestureTek website.)

Gesturetek's Health division has created a variety of interactive applications designed "... for the disability, hospital, mental health and education sectors. Our touch-free, motion-activated solutions for virtual reality physical therapy, multisensory stimulation and immersive play let patients (regardless of age, ability or condition) have fun in a hygienic environment and experience marked improvement in their physical and cognitive abilities."

Here are a few highlights:




Overview of some demos from GestureTek:


References:
GestureTek Health and FlagHouse Announce Partnership to Bring Sensory Solutions to the Physically and Cognitively Challenged

GestureTek Videoclips

GestureTek Company Fact Sheet (pdf)

Note: Dean LaCoe, of GestureTek, will be presenting at the Interactive Displays 2009 Conference in April.

Games for Health conference audiocast; Game Accessibility in K-12

I recently presented at the Games for Health conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The attendees and presenters at the conference came from a variety of fields- game development, education, occupational and physical therapy, health, bio-mechanical engineering, media arts, and more, all interested in sharing ideas about using game, simulations, and virtual worlds to improve health.

Many of the topics covered during the recent Games for Health conference apply to K-12 settings. If you think about it, many children and teens are at risk for health problems that will adversely impact their lives as adults. If we can provide a means for young people to develop healthy behaviors and attitudes at an early age, we will help to ensure healthy futures, for individuals and communities alike.

If you have a little time, you can listen to the overview provided in an audiocast consisting of interviews with Ben Sawyer and others involved with the conference.

My presentation slides - Game Accessibility and Health Education in K-12 Settings - from the pre-conference, are posted SlideShare, where you can find slides from other presentations on the Games for Health group section.

You can find more information on the Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website, including a section about Games for Health.

(Cross-posted on Interactive Multimedia Technology.)

News: Game Accessibility Preconference in Baltimore at Games for Health Conference

I'm writing this post from the Games for Health pre-conference about games accessibility, listening to a presentation by Eleanor Robinson, from 7-128 Software.

If you are looking for family-friendly games that are accessible, the developers from 7-128 have evaluated a wide range of accessible games, and have listed them all of them on their research. Many games on the list are free:

There are several lists that are useful- where to find the games, what to look for when selecting the games, suggestions for using the games, and who to go for for help.

Alert- Links about accessible games

More to come!

Online interactive games for children with serious illnesses or disabilities.

According to a recent article in USA today (November 6, 2006), several websites offer children on-line interactive games to help them learn and cope with their health problems or disabilities. Take a look! The USA Today article on-line has links to the organizations that provide the on-line games and related interactive activities.

Starlight Games Page

From the website:

Research Shows the Benefits of Starlight’s Programs Include Decreased Depression, Pain, Anxiety and Isolation
"Starlight is continuously conducting clinical research to evaluate and analyze our programmatic efforts to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation. Following are the overarching summaries of the results from the latest research studies on Starlight's programs."

"Research studies indicate that Starlight’s programs help seriously ill children and their families: experience less depression, anxiety, pain and isolation; better handle, understand, and manage their illnesses; and bond as a family."

"Research studies at institutions across North America have demonstrated the benefits of Starlight’s programs including improved self-efficacy, self-esteem, coping, knowledge, child responsibility, parent-child relationships, adherence; family cohesiveness and willingness to return for treatment; and a reduction in symptoms, depression, feelings of isolation and negative coping behaviors."

More about Starlight's Programs