Video Games Used to Relax Kids in Hospital

[Christina]

TRENTON, N.J. - Letting children play video games on a Game Boy in the operating room before undergoing surgery can help relax them better than tranquilizers or holding Mommy's hand, researchers say.

Article Here (http://www.yahoo.com/_ylh=X3oDMTEwdnZjMjFhBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEdGVzdAMwBHRtc GwDaW5kZXgtY3Nz/s/223166)

Well, if they would've done that for me when I was younger, I know I wouldn't have been so scared to go under!! :lol: I would've played tetris or super mario til' I passed out!

[Tjobbe]

great idea, keeps their mind of the big event!

[the_pm]

I'm not so sure about this move. One minute the kid's playing Gameboy, the next minute he wakes up with a stitched up hole where strangers were poking sharp objects around their insides. Sounds like negative reinforcement to me... "Johnny, it's Gameboy time!" "No momma! Not the knife!" ;)

[Christina]

They know what's going on..but to remove the anxiety of getting to the point of surgery is a good idea! Just like a stress ball to squeeze...same thing. Or you can just sit there and wait in anticipation...which sucks!

[Jamie]

Seems I am the only one who likes surgery (Most forms), I love the feeling when you come around, I compare it with the missing time that people report when zapped by aliens. And then the morphine you get to give yourself after, that is so darn good! :lol:

[ethicaldesign]

I'm not so sure about this move. One minute the kid's playing Gameboy, the next minute he wakes up with a stitched up hole where strangers were poking sharp objects around their insides. Sounds like negative reinforcement to me... "Johnny, it's Gameboy time!" "No momma! Not the knife!" ;)

That would be one way to address the computer games addiction problem parents are always worrying about I guess :lol:

[Pauly]

All kids are different, but I think it will work for the average kid. When I was little I had an operation on my eye, and in all honesty I was very nervous and afterwards kept throwing up. They wouldn't let me leave 'til I ate something either, I think sitting and playing on a Mega Drive (Remember those?) would of helped calm me :)