DDR Videogame Helps Kids with ADHD

[elementis0]

"We're still in the beginning stages," cautioned Tammy McGraw, an education specialist with the Appalachian Educational Laboratory and lead author of the study. "But if we can demonstrate that video games help, we can find solutions that do not require us to medicate children as much."

The game McGraw and her colleagues tested is a far cry from the gang violence found in Grand Theft Auto or the bloody martial arts action of Mortal Kombat. There isn't even any bumping or grinding. Available for such popular home gaming systems as Sony's PlayStation II and Microsoft's Xbox, Dance Dance Revolution involves stomping on four large buttons to a danceable beat in what educators describe as a mix between Twister and Simon Says.

McGraw, who presented her findings at a recent Digital Games Research Association conference in Vancouver, Canada, said that she first got the idea to study the game after seeing a long line outside a mall. Following the endless convoy of adolescents, McGraw was surprised to find what everyone was waiting for: a chance to shake it against a virtual dancer.

McGraw had recently read about research suggesting visual and rhythmic stimulation could improve reading and attention. Perhaps, she thought, this emerging theory about learning could be matched with the latest video game craze.

...

As part of the study, McGraw and colleagues recruited 62 sixth graders who suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). First, the children were given a series of reading tests. Half the kids were then instructed to play Dance Dance Revolution for about an hour a week. The other children continued with their normal routine.

Just to ensure that no parent was taken aback by the unusual educational aid, McGraw said they chose the Disney version of the game, which includes a dancing Mickey Mouse and songs by Chubby Checker.

Three months later, the kids took the same reading tests again. The scores were largely the same for both groups, but those who played Dance Dance Revolution did slightly better with so-called receptive coding skills, the ability to immediately recall a word or series of numbers This type of testing indicates greater focus and attention, a key issue for children with ADHD The more times the kids played the game, the better they did.

"This was the real hot spot," said McGraw. By quickly matching their movements to visuals and music, children who play Dance Dance Revolution seem to strengthen the areas of the brain that are necessary for better memorization, McGraw explained. Since the game is exciting, these skills are more easily improved.

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It just shows Why Dance Dance Revolution is a "Revolution"
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[JJasser]

Appalachian Educational Laboratory must have a lot of money to afford 62 copies of DDR: Disney Mix.... but otherwise, i really don't care, i'm not ADD/ADHD.

And what words would they have them ID anyways? Score, Combo, Dance, Magic, Trick? lol

[Shinmizu]

I have to disag
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[BraveLittleToaster]

You dont need to post about crap like this, because

1. It doesnt affect us in any way.
2. Its just plain stupid.
3. Why would we care anyway?

[agent709 (orange)]

"a chance to shake it against a virtual dancer. "

Huh?

And Bravelittletoaster... some people might find this an interesting read. Some don't, like you. Either way, be happy it is some form of traffic to these boards. This is one of the slower boards I visit...
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[Sinistar]

I found it interesting a month ago.

Sucks having a site nobody visits.
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CF cbox mods and more at the 'Pad'

[flcl573]

[xpguardian]

i think it just lets the kids get all that frikkin energy out. i dont think im add or anything, but in the mornings im mellow and dont talk or do much, but by the time 3 oclock rolls around, im bouncing off the walls if i havent had an outlet for my energy (ddr). so i dont think it has anything to do with all that technical stuff that goes way over my head, i think it just settles the kids down.
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Su madre va la universidad.

Helen Keller went to town riding on a pony, stuck a feather in her hat and called it eeerrrddddffgghthdghhghgerrrgh.

[Sinistar]

There might be something to that point if the kids played DDR every day, but they played approximately one hour a week.

One hour a week would likely not expend enough energy to have an overall calming effect on the kids. It does, however, seem to be enough to improve instant recall abilities.
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CF cbox mods and more at the 'Pad'

[tac-tics]

This seems like it should be on the main news page.


I know I read a lot more since I started playing. More of these damn forums X-D
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[elementis0]

well... i hope in the future ill get to do a test like that for free DDR stuffs
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[RTP!]

I can play DDR without even looking at the arrows sometimes (Just look at the Heavy logo) I think I might have ADHD. And my friends too... (New DDR team name: ADHDDR )
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[tac-tics]

[FHOD DJ X!!]

well I dont know about you guys, but I think this is a pretty accurate scientific discovery! (seeing that every single one of my DDR friends has ADHD or is overly hyper and uncontrollably hyper and really hyper) oh crap! maybe I'm ADHD
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[elementis0]

you have adhd 0.o go play more DDR now
lol j/k
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