GFH Highlights Redux

In our most recent post, we pointed out some of the reasons why we (and others) think the Games For Health conference matters (See “The ABCs of Why GFH Matters”). Here are some specific examples to show the wide range of companies involved, activities undertaken, and technology topics covered during the 2008 conference. For instance:

• Activision unveiled a new version of its popular video game Guitar Hero, designed to aid arm amputee rehabilitation.
• Red Hill Studios presented its findings about the use of PDWii to aid balance and mobility in Parkinson's patients.
• Pediatric patients may soon get a chance to play DITTO (Diversionary Therapy Device), a multi-modal distraction device, developed in partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, that is designed to control pain and stress among patients undergoing burn and orthopedic medical procedures.
• A panel discussion explored how exergaming in gyms and other settings can be used to combine physical activity and fun. Another focused on how future exergame design should work to ensure maximum health benefits.
• Health care insurance giant, Humana, a primary sponsor of GFH, supported a plenary session at the conference to detail the game-related efforts launched by several of the largest health insurance plan providers. The group discussed their views about what is needed in the future to use games and games technology to solve the critical problems in health that they and others are facing.
• Humana also announced the launch of HumanaGames a new Web that provides information about Humana’s programs, mission, and vision, as well as details on the health benefits of game technology.
• 3DiTeams, funded by the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), and developed by Virtual Heroes with Duke University's Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center, previewed a 3D simulation of emergency health care environments.
• Officials from Medical Cyberworlds discussed the progress of its online multiplayer game to train doctors to communicate more effectively with their patients and the challenges of encouraging effective collaboration between physicians, academics, and game developers.

As you can see, there’s something for everyone at GFH. So, if you have an interest in, or want more information about, the way games and game technologies can impact health, health care and policy, we encourage you to attend the 2009 conference.