Stroke Victims and Doctors Point to Games as Key Factors in Rehabilitating the Brain

SEATTLE (Business Wire EON) April 22, 2008 -- Big Fish Games, the world’s leading online destination for casual entertainment, is learning that its games are an important contributor to the health and wellness of one significant segment of its customer base: baby boomers. Casual games are online computer games that are easy to play yet challenging to master. They are fun, relaxing, and can be played alone or in a more social manner.

As Harold was playing Mystery Case Files we noticed right away that he was regaining his lost visual field at an exhilarating rate

A recent Big Fish Games customer survey shows baby boomers are playing games as a way to promote mental and physical wellness. Respondents stated that benefits of playing casual games included reduced stress, better concentration, improved vision, increased memory and a reduction in unhealthy habits. Remarkably, 54 percent reported they watched less TV, 46 percent reported a reduction in snacking and 23 percent reported they smoked less. Of those surveyed citing a disability, 85 percent reported improved health from playing casual games, and 66 percent said the games were an effective part of their recovery following a catastrophic health episode.

Baby boomers are increasingly reaching out to Big Fish Games to tell their stories about how these games are having a positive impact on their lives.

In April of 2007, Harold Snaring of Lake Cushman, Washington suffered a severe stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and unable to use his left field of vision. During recovery, Harold’s wife, Marilyn, a long time customer of Big Fish Games, introduced a Mystery Case Files game into his recovery program. Known by casual gamers around the world as “MCF”, Mystery Case Files is a hidden object puzzle game developed by Big Fish Games. Marilyn knew that games from Big Fish Games helped her stay mentally sharp, and she thought they might help her husband have fun and speed up his recovery. And indeed they did. Harold got hooked on Mystery Case Files.

Playing Mystery Case Files required Harold to process his entire field of vision and to concentrate on finding objects in the scene. He was also relaxing and having fun during gameplay. This made the time commitment and dedication required for his recovery both exciting and enjoyable. The game’s fun factor was an important key to success as stroke patients often tire quickly and lose patience with traditional rehabilitation techniques.

“As Harold was playing Mystery Case Files we noticed right away that he was regaining his lost visual field at an exhilarating rate,” said Marilyn. “After seeing the positive results with Harold, his speech pathologist shared the approach with others at the care clinic where he was being treated, hoping it could help other stroke victims.”

Harold’s therapist was impressed with the progress he was making and intrigued by the inclusion of playing casual games as a part of his rehabilitation. “I helped Harold with cognitive recovery and exercises to improve his range of vision, attention and concentration,” said Valerie Pingel, a speech pathologist with the Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia, Washington. “Harold’s wife brought in a hidden object game as a fun way to practice mental concentration and to help expand Harold’s range of vision. We noticed a rapid improvement in his recovery when the game was introduced. Games are an exciting and rewarding activity for our patients, and are now an integral part of our recovery program. The games motivate patients to learn while having fun.”

Harold is not alone. Each year an estimated 700,000 Americans suffer from strokes that impact their physical and mental capabilities. The road to recovery for individuals who have suffered strokes is typically a long and arduous journey. Finding effective and engaging ways to regain lost abilities is a challenge. Training the brain to relearn skills that took a lifetime to learn and only minutes to lose is often frustrating and humiliating. Casual games are effective because they are relaxing, fun, and simultaneously therapeutic. Players report that the Mystery Case Files game genre in particular provides mental exercise and combats memory loss.

“Developing an effective and comprehensive treatment program for those who have had a stroke is vital in order for them to recover to their fullest possible potential,” said Dr. Louis R. Caplan, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “By engaging in activities like casual games, a recovering stroke patient is forced to participate and interact. The patient is able to take learning into his or her own hands, providing much needed self-motivation and confidence. Casual Games, such as hidden object games like Mystery Case Files, are also a great way to engage the whole family in the healing process and keep them connected. These games allow patients to use sensory, motor and cognitive abilities in a self-rewarding environment. The task of finding a hidden object within these games is especially useful for patients whose stroke has caused a loss of vision. Achieving even simple tasks provides milestones for those who have lost previous skills and abilities.”

“Computer games are often associated with violence, but at Big Fish Games we are providing family friendly online game experiences that are fulfilling and beneficial for people of all ages around the world,” said Jeremy Lewis, president and CEO of Big Fish Games. “The findings from our customer survey are rewarding to say the least, and we are proud to count Harold and Marilyn among our customers open to bringing the data to life by sharing their experiences.”

The survey conducted by Big Fish Games also revealed that of the respondents who suffer from physical or mental disabilities, 80 percent play games daily for an average of 2.5 hours per day. Remarkably, of those playing games for health or recovery benefits, less than 2 percent were recommended to do so from a medical professional or caretaker. Most discovered this positive effect on their own or were influenced by friends or family members. While health care professionals are still learning about the benefits provided by casual games, 79 percent of survey participants indicated they would strongly recommend casual games as an integral part of health and wellness plans for others. Of the group that played for health benefits, 47 percent stated they typically play the games with friends or family members enabling them to connect on an interactive basis more regularly with loved ones.

About Big Fish Games

Big Fish Games is a global leader and innovator in the online games industry, producing and delivering the world’s best games and game experiences. Big Fish Games Studios develops and publishes the industry’s leading brands for computers, mobile devices and consoles. Its portfolio of hit games includes Mystery Case Files®, Hidden Expedition™, Azada™ and Fairway Solitaire™. Big Fish Games portal at www.bigfishgames.com distributes more games worldwide than any other online site and offers visitors an expansive selection of content by launching A New Game Every Day! ™

Big Fish Games and its corporate affiliates develop and distribute games through websites they operate, including www.bigfishgames.com, www.bigfishgames.de and www.bigfishgames.fr.

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY

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