Kinetic Muscles recently received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to study and develop a new treatment fortraumatic brain injury for veterans returning from duty after having sustained trauma to the brain. The company is known for developing products for rehabilitation for stroke sufferers. Their Phase I study concluded successfully, which led the Department of Defense to fund the Phase II study, according to a Behavioral Health Central article.
The study in question combines digital video game technology with neuropsychological therapy to help the brain heal after an injury. Emory University’s division of neuropsychology in Atlanta, GA, the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, AZ, the Veteran’s Administration, and the Department of Defense will all take part in the study, the article noted.
The principal investigator of the study, Ed Koeneman, the COO of Kinetic Muscles, told the press that, ‘Treatment of TBI builds upon Kinetic Muscles’s neurotherapy technology platform. Patients with stroke and TBI experience similar cognitive and movement deficits. KMI technology addresses rehabilitation for both groups through repetitive training of specific tasks,’ Behavioral Health Central reported.
What is unique about this study is the multidisciplinary approach it embodies. Instead of only including brain research Universities, Kinetic Muscles has chosen to incorporate the Advancing Technology University in Tempe, which is known as one of the world’s most advanced video gaming schools in the country, a Wise Technology article reported.
More than a few groups of people have employed video games in a non-recreational context. A group called the Institute for the Development of the Harmonious Human Being offers brain and awareness training using the teamwork-based online games Diablo 2 and Team Fortress 2. It is well known that the military employs video games and computer simulators for flight, reflex, awareness, and combat training, especially in recent wars in which military personnel fly drone missions from bases on American soil by way of computer terminals.
References:
COMTEX Staff. (April 6, 2010) ‘Kinetic Muscles obtains Phase II SBIR grant for traumatic brain injury study.’ Retrieved on April 6, 2010 from the Behavioral Health Central Web site:http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20100406218880/Clinical-New…
Gold, E. J. (April 6, 2010) ‘Personal Bardo Training with E.J. Gold.’ Retreived on April 7, 2010 from the IDHHB website: http://idhhb.com/brtraining/
Healthcare IT News Staff. (April 6, 2010) ‘VA hospitals use video games to rehab vets with brain injuries.’ Retrieved on April 6, 2010 from the Wise Technology Web site:http://wistechnology.com/articles/7262/