[B]A recent study presented at the American Pain Society's annual scientific meeting suggests that people in pain that play video games can receive some relief.[/B]

According to [URL=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Life/Relationships/Parenting/Video-games-could-relieve-pain-in-kids-adults/articleshow/5909106.cms]a story in The Times of India[/URL], researchers are not exactly sure why virtual reality tends to have an analgesic effect, but one cause could be the multi-sensory nature of games.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, an associate professor in anaesthesiology and pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, said:

[INDENT]“Virtual reality produces a modulating effect that is endogenous, so the analgesic influence is not simply a result of distraction but may also impact how the brain responds to painful stimuli. The focus is drawn to the game not the pain or the medical procedure, while the virtual reality experience engages visual and other senses,”[/INDENT] The doctors associated with the study said that more research is needed to fully understand how virtual reality affects pain management.

Even more props to the Penny Arcade guys for their Child's Play charity.

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