Medical Research

It's no game!

Many children are captivated by video games, playing these games for hours a day with intense energy, incredible finger dexterity, and a deathly hand grip. However, some pediatricians say they are now seeing children enter their offices with video-game related hand, wrist and upper arm injuries. Stress and overuse injuries such as tendon swelling can be caused by rapid thumb movement, tight controller gripping and sharp wrist movements from guiding a joystick.  Experts also say too much video game playing can lead to social isolation and a false sense of reality. Excessive video-game use has also been linked to inactivity and childhood obesity. Experts say parents need to take control and limit their child’s video game playing time, making sure their child takes regular breaks and stretches at intervals and maintains an active lifestyle.

Karen Jacobs EdD Occupational Therapy

Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapy professor from Boston University, says parents need to monitor their children’s game time. Jacobs says parents need to set limits on how often their children play, and make sure that these games don’t get in the way of regular physical activity.  Here Jacobs shares some tips on how to avoid video-game related injuries.

Kimberly Thompson Health Researcher

Kimberly Andrews, a children’s health researcher from Harvard University, is concerned that video game overuse can lead to social problems, such as isolation and a false sense of reality.  Here Andrews uncovers some more social affects linked to video-game overuse. 

Sabine Schmidt D.O.

Pediatrician Sabine Schmidt says she has many children enter her office with video-game related injuries. These injuries range from hand and finger strain and swelling to muscle tightness and back pain.  Schmidt also says too much game playing can contribute to poor posture and obesity.  Here she reveals some more of the physical affects of video game overuse.

Taking breaks is a great way to avoid screen-time injuries. Taking a two-minute break every half hour can help prevent injuries, keeping you in the game. Medical Reporter Jessica Stanley reveals how taking a short break can save you some big aches and pains in the long run.