Doctors at Shiba Hospital in Israel have found an effective way to improve the recovery of severe burns patients using Sony Playstation game consoles.

According to the doctors, the patients, usually partially covered in special bondages, sink into the games and forget the pains caused by the burns. This results in body moves that the patients would not be able to do without the distractions.  The body moves speed up recovery and reduce pains.

Tom Karney, a patient who suffers from burns in his hands and legs from campfire accident says "I'm used to playing with the Playstation, but here it has a lot more meaning. I found out that it's much easier for me to move while playing. I just don't think about the pain."
The hospital has acquired Eyetoy camera which allows controlling games without use of a joystick and encourages the patients to move in order to play. The camera allows patients to play while sitting in wheel chairs, or lay in bed. The lack of need to touch anything is also a big advantage since it reduces the danger of infections.

Image: Patient Tom Karney
Source: Israeli Newspaper Yediot Aharonot