A number of the programs I have created include multiple disciplines such as [[Recreational Therapy]] ([[RT]]) / [[Therapeutic Recreation]] ([[TR]]), [[Music Therapy]] ([[MT]]), [[Neuroscience]] (Neuro), [[Psychology]] (Psy), [[Physical Therapy]] ([[PT]]), [[Occupational Therapy]] ([[OT]]), [[Speech Therapy]] ([[ST]]), all in the bundle of one multi-disciplinary Role-Playing Gaming Therapy ([[RPGT]]).
I have shared with people a number of the programs that use combined recreation and music with neuroscience and RPG to achieve therapeutic and educational goals for a broad array of populations:
For example a program for a client recovering from brain injury such as a stroke, providing multiple therapists attempting to address the bio-psycho-social issues typical for this population, would require many hours of separate appointments with PT, OT, ST, & Psy.
But the program that provides a combination [[tabletop role-playing game]] ([[TRPG]]) and [[live-action role-playing]] ([[LARP]]) activity that includes music, addresses many of these areas all in a single, much more enjoyable (for the client) activity.
Here is an example program outline for such a client:
With proper baseline assessment and tracking for progression in specific areas of anatomical kinesthetics, gross & fine motor skills, adduction & abduction, overall flexibility and control, spasticity, cognition function, speech, verbal and written comprehension, mood, affect, expression, etc. these multi-variable issues can be addressed simultaneously in an engaging task.
Research repeatedly shows that if the participant is overly focused on achieving the benefits of the task, rather than just enjoying the task itself, they have less success.
For example, focusing on raising their legs to walk (instead of shuffling), if focusing on "get your feet up so you can walk better" is less effective than "your character needs to step over those hula-hoops to avoid being burned by the rings of fire, and help rescue the captured royal family on the other end of the rings".
Also using bio and EEG to monitor and achieve specific states of concentration, energty, relaxation, flow, etc. with optional provision of bio/neuro-feedback through music element correlating to heart rate, breathing, etc. (Neuro).
The overlap of neurological tools with the above therapies could modify the related titles as such::
Just some thoughts and observations that I thought might be of interest to others.
" At the risk of oversimplification, one could argue there are actually two forms of escapism: self-suppression and self-expansion. Self-suppression as running away from unpleasant thoughts, perceptions and emotions; self-expansion is actively seeking new skills, stronger relationships and positive experiences. According to Jane McGonigal, the difference between these two is comparable to the difference between saying, 'Everything sucks, so I'm going to go play games,' versus "Life is better when I have time to play games." - Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association, by W.A. Hawkes-Robinson President of RPG Therapeutic LLC, and Founder of The RPG Research Project Community Website http://www.rpgresearch.com
You can view the entire presentation file here: wstra-2016-rpg-research-presentation-20160329zzf3.pdf
The videos from the variants of the presentation (shorter versions can be viewed here:
Met many folks at WSTRA convention and handed out many cards, and some brochures regarding the potential development and use of role-playing games as an effective intervention for many needs from a recreation therapy perspective.
Significant networking accomplished, and expect a lot of momentum to begin from further dialog with some of the contacts made.
Mentor is going to see about arranging potential discussions and potential use of RPG for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) patients and other client populations, will see how that develops over time.
Very positive and productive experience!