Video games calm kids before tooth surgery, study finds

This study tested whether an immersive game experience could help children aged 4 to 12 feel less anxious and behave better before having an extra tooth removed under anesthesia. Forty children were randomly assigned to either standard care or standard care plus a game that included role-playing, parent-child activities, and rewards. The researchers measured anxiety using questionnaires, heart rate, and stress hormones, and found that the game approach may improve the child's experience and parent satisfaction.