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Training software in development
A recent U.S. study shows that playing certain Nintendo Wii games can help surgeons master delicate hand movements and improve their performance.
The Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center team claim that only certain Wii games are effective, so they set about developing their own Wii software that will simulate surgical procedures.
Trainees who played Wii games such as Marble Mania scored almost 50% higher than others who did not.
"You don't gain a lot from swinging an imaginary tennis racket." said researcher Kanav Kohel, "The whole point about surgery is to execute small finely controlled movements with your hands, and that is exactly what you get with the Wii."
Such fine control skills are crucial to performing keyhole surgery, and the team hopes that their Wii training aide will be helpful in developing countries which lack the funds for dedicated virtual reality training systems.
More here.
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Wii good for surgeons
Training software in development
A recent U.S. study shows that playing certain Nintendo Wii games can help surgeons master delicate hand movements and improve their performance.
The Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center team claim that only certain Wii games are effective, so they set about developing their own Wii software that will simulate surgical procedures.
Trainees who played Wii games such as Marble Mania scored almost 50% higher than others who did not.
"You don't gain a lot from swinging an imaginary tennis racket." said researcher Kanav Kohel, "The whole point about surgery is to execute small finely controlled movements with your hands, and that is exactly what you get with the Wii."
Such fine control skills are crucial to performing keyhole surgery, and the team hopes that their Wii training aide will be helpful in developing countries which lack the funds for dedicated virtual reality training systems.
More here.