Startup Cures Psychological Diseases with PlayStation 2 Games

by Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 11/09/2005 | 10:08 PM ]

While computer games are sometimes too additive for the youngsters, they still can teach some very important things like rapid reaction, ability to concentrate, ability to team up with other people or even learn something new. It is no news that soldiers are sometimes trained using specially designed games, but some developers are going further: they create games specifically to improve certain abilities of a human or even cure children from diseases like attention deficit disorder (ADD).

One of such technologies is called BrainGame and was developed by NASA to improve pilot’s attention while flying. However, in 2002 CyberLearning Technologies company has licensed the technology in order to create advanced learning systems.

CNET News.com reports that BrainGames includes a helmet with three sensors, which can be easily attached to the head to measure brain waves. The data feeds a so-called smart box that hangs around the player’s neck and is hooked up to the PS2. The smart box is a modified game controller that collects a real-time signal from the brain, or a snapshot of brain activity every 30 seconds. The data is then processed with a program that affects the game: The more the player concentrates, for example, the faster a car will go in a racing game.

“They feel that they are in the seat in order to affect the game, versus just pushing a button. They’re now using their physiology. It’s fully immersive and places the individual in the game,” said Domenic Greco, chief executive of Cyberlearning Technologies.

In April, CyberLearning began selling its system, which costs $550 directly from its Web site. The company claims that between 1,200 and 1,300 families have used it. In 2004, the company partnered with pediatricians and psychologists to use the software with children diagnosed with ADD.

• CNET News.com: Attention Deficit Disorder? Try Video Games.