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Dr. Rachel Proffitt from the University of Missouri joins us for an enlightening conversation on how video games are reshaping the landscape of occupational therapy. From ancient practices to modern-day applications, we journey through the fascinating history of OT, revealing its impact on neurodivergent children, sports injury recovery, and mental health therapy. With a dash of humor, we reminisce about classic games like Mario Kart and Doom, pondering how they've influenced our collective anxiety while offering a gateway to therapeutic innovation.

We embark on an inspiring journey into the world of occupational therapy, guided by Dr. Proffitt's personal narrative, which begins at a respite camp and leads to a career brimming with creativity and science. Discover the versatility of OT across settings, from autism therapy to stroke rehabilitation, and learn how collaboration with a computer science department brought video games into therapeutic practice. These digital tools not only enhance patient engagement but also create exciting research opportunities, demonstrating the profound impact of integrating play into therapy.

Our exploration delves into the transformative power of telehealth and gaming technology in stroke rehabilitation, spotlighting innovative approaches like Recovery Rapids. Discover how virtual gaming systems can make therapy more accessible, especially in rural areas, by focusing on game tasks rather than physical limitations. Through telehealth's flexibility, patients enjoy personalized experiences that promote recovery outside traditional clinical settings. To wrap up, we highlight how listeners can connect with Dr. Proffitt and explore her groundbreaking work in gaming and rehabilitation, bridging the gap between research and practice.

To check out Dr. Proffitt's work, visit: https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/830343/overview

For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org

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Key words:

Occupational Therapy, Video Games, Neurodivergent Children, Sports Injury Recovery, Mental Health Therapy, Mario Kart, Doom, Anxiety, Telehealth, Stroke Rehabilitation, Virtual Gaming Systems, Rural Areas, Patient Engagement, Research Opportunities, Telehealth, Telehealth, Telehealth, Telehealth, Telehealth, Telehealth