Therapeutic Gaming
If you’re here, you know that gaming isn’t just for play. Video games can be powerful therapeutic tools that promote physical recovery, cognitive engagement, social connection, and emotional well-being. From improving fine motor coordination to building problem-solving and teamwork skills, gaming offers a motivating, measurable, and meaningful way to support participation in daily life.
See below for different strategies to use gaming therapeutically!
But First…
If you’re a therapist who’s new to gaming or exploring how to use video games therapeutically, we’ve got you covered! We’ve created a step-by-step resource designed to guide you through the process of selecting and applying games in practice. We call it the Therapeutic Game Generator. Click below to give it a try and start building your own game-based treatment ideas!
Therapeutic Gaming Categories
Cognition
Cognitive skills occupy essential functions that an individual requires to live independently. Cognition allows for the acquisition of knowledge and how one translates that knowledge to understanding through their experiences. Taking it a step further, functional cognition is “how an individual utilizes and integrates his or her thinking and processing skills to accomplish everyday activities,” (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021). Video games have been shown to improve memory, reaction times, mental flexibility, and problem solving skills.
Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities encompass any condition or diagnosis that prevents an individual from engaging in the world around them in a “normal” manner. A large spectrum of deficits can fall under physical disabilities such as vision/hearing impairments all the way to being wheelchair-bound. Many individuals with a physical disability need to adapt or adjust to their environment in a way that enriches their day-to-day life. Video games can be used to help improve range of motion, postural control, strengthening, functional use of the upper limbs, and improve engagement in fine motor tasks in people who have physical disabilities.
Mental Health
Mental health encompasses one’s psychological and emotional well-being. A decline in mental health can lead to decreased activity and self-worth in everyday life. Video games have been shown to improve one’s feelings of self-worth and reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.
Therapeutic Exercise
Movement and physical activity that is focused on improving function and purposeful use of the body for tasks. The primary focus of these activities can include improving strength, flexibility, range of motion, and/or decreasing pain. The use of therapeutic exercise can be seen in many other areas of treatment including treatment of those with physical disabilities. Some more examples can include breathing exercises, aerobic and endurance training, movement patterns, neuromotor development, and body mechanics training.