UTILISING ENTERTAINMENT GAMES IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE BRAIN The Play for Reward research project, launched by the multidisciplinary game research network of the University of Turku, studies emotional engagement in entertainment gaming and its utilisation in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from brain damage.
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urku School of Economics coordinates the Play for Reward research project, with four faculties of the University of Turku and five partner companies participating in it. - Our first aim is to study the kinds of emotions experienced by gamers when they play their favourite games, and how gaming engages and addicts the players. After that, we investigate possible ways to utilise engaging gaming experiences in the development of rehabilitation services, explains Project Manager Jukka Vahlo from the Centre for Collaborative Research.
Finally, the business prospects of health games are examined in the business studies portion of the project. - People invest a great amount of time and energy into their favourite games. In order to utilise this potential in health care, we first need to study the effectiveness of games. We find out what kinds of actors are missing from our ecosystem that would enable the health care side and the game provider to form a service. Achieving this requires an open-minded attitude also in the organisation of welfare services, says Project Director Aki Koponen. โ ข
PICTURE HANNA OKSANEN
Professor of Psychiatry Jyrki Korkeila (right) is in charge of the research portion of the project, investigating how gaming can be used in brain rehabilitation. From the left: Aki Koponen, Jukka Vahlo and Tribeflame CEO Torulf Jernstrรถm.