When children are admitted to a hospital for extended periods of time, they miss out on many of the experiences and pleasures that other kids take for granted. Suddenly, their world becomes much smaller. Their opportunities for play, discovery and social interaction are greatly restricted.
While their friends may be visiting the local zoo, playing on the beach or joining a baseball team, a child in a pediatric ward sees only his or her hospital room, treatment rooms and the hallways of the hospital. Interactions with friends are limited to occasional hospital visits or online chats. It is easy to imagine how a child’s emotional well-being can be negatively affected by a prevailing sense of isolation and fear.
It is understandable that many hospitals and other health clinics are scary places for kids. Many kids do not know what they are entering into when they are getting certain physical treatments or evaluations. But with the help of an interactive, virtual or augmented reality experience, it becomes easier for kids to feel comfortable when getting into such a space.
Hospitals and clinics around North America are nowadays adopting virtual and augmented reality as well as immersive games and experiences into their facilities, specially in their waiting rooms in order to entertain children and their parents and keep their mind away from their worries and uncertainties.
From the feedback received by Lusens and the few other companies that design and install these kind of custom immersive exhibits at hospitals and clinics for some years, it is now clear of the very positive outcome resulting from these entertaining and fun games and experiences custom designed to fit the needs of the particular hospital, health center or clinic.
Emotional State And Healing
Increasingly, Western medicine is recognizing the connection between mind and body and the role it plays in disease recovery. While there exists no definitive scientific proof of the healing benefits of a positive state-of-mind, the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. Increasing opportunities for interactive play while in the hospital allows children to continue one aspect of their normal life and help reduce the fear and stress they may be experiencing.
A fully immersive interactive video wall in the playrooms of children’s hospitals and pediatric wards are a great way to promote play for the patients. The interactive experience can heighten a child’s imagination, boost his or her sense of wonder and discovery and provide opportunities for interaction with other children, all the while encouraging body movement.
The Benefits Of Play
The specially designed games use technology that tracks movements and expressions, immersing the child in wondrous environments. They are transported to worlds real and imaginary, creating an experience that is educational, inspirational and fun. The technology allows for several people to play with the wall simultaneously so that the experience can be shared with parents, siblings, friends or other patients, making it a social activity in an environment where those can sometimes be limited.
Playing can be beneficial in many ways. It can provide a respite from the worry, fear and anxieties they may be experiencing. Interactive play gives children opportunities to make choices, which can help them retain a sense of control during a time when they feel they have very little of it.
Through play, children are more likely to express some of the feelings they may be experiencing. Playtime can provide a release for the sense of anger, sadness, fear and anxiety the child may be feeling.
Another benefit to an immersive and interactive wall in the hospital playroom is that it provides patients a special, fun and unique thing that is available exclusively to them. It’s one of the few positive things in their lives that their friends don’t have.
To get a brochure or to get more information on how you can add a Children’s Corner to your hospital, clinic of healthcare center, visit Lusens site at http://lusens.com or contact 1.866.385-4977
Media Contact
Company Name: Lusens Inc
Contact Person: Eduardo Guendelman
Email: eguendelman@lusens.com
Phone: 416-540-7073
Address:245 Matheson Boulevard
City: Mississauga
State: ON L4Z 3C9
Country: United States
Website: www.lusens.com