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Review
. 2014 Dec 16:349:g7267.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.g7267.

Nintendo related injuries and other problems: review

Maarten B Jalink  1 , Erik Heineman  2 , Jean-Pierre E N Pierie  3 , Henk O ten Cate Hoedemaker  4
Affiliations
Review

Nintendo related injuries and other problems: review

Maarten B Jalink et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Objective: To identify all reported cases of injury and other problems caused by using a Nintendo video gaming system.

Design: Review.

Data sources and review methods: Search of PubMed and Embase in June 2014 for reports on injuries and other problems caused by using a Nintendo gaming system.

Results: Most of the 38 articles identified were case reports or case series. Injuries and problems ranged from neurological and psychological to surgical. Traditional controllers with buttons were associated with tendinitis of the extensor of the thumb. The joystick on the Nintendo 64 controller was linked to palmar ulceration. The motion sensitive Wii remote was associated with musculoskeletal problems and various traumas.

Conclusions: Most problems are mild and prevalence is low. The described injuries were related to the way the games are controlled, which varies according to the video game console.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: MBJ is an experienced gamer, a Nintendo collector, and a long term editor for the biggest video game websites in the Netherlands as well as several large children’s magazines, for which he is paid; he also tests video games for Nintendo and other video game publishers and can keep the games afterwards; all other authors declare no support from any organisation for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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