Parkinson’s patients ‘can be aided by videogames’

A new US study has revealed the potentially useful therapeutic role that videogames can play in helping to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing has conducted research alongside games developer Red Hill Studios, during which physical therapy software was used to help sufferers of the neurodegenerative disease.

These specialised games are motion-controlled and are designed to test and award points for performing specific physical movements that have been shown to be beneficial in helping people to cope with functional impairments and diseases.

Following a three-month study period, it was found that more than half of subjects were able to experience improvements in walking speed, balance and stride length.

Dr Glenna Dowling, professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Physiological Nursing, said: "These initial studies show the promise of custom-designed physical therapy games promoting specific movements and gestures that can help patients get better."

Red Hill Studios is also developing games to aid patients suffering from cognitive problems caused by cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.