Instant ageing & brain waves: Canterbury DHB at the A&P Show

November 11, 2013

Instant ageing and the power of brain waves – it’s all happening at the Canterbury DHB stand at the A&P Show

Just how relaxed are you? You can find out at the Canterbury DHB stand at the A&P show this week with a game of Mindball, where you have to use your brain waves to score goals against your opponent.

The Canterbury District Health Board is in the Future Christchurch/Greater Canterbury pavilion at the A&P Show.

David Meates, Canterbury DHB chief executive, says the pavilion, which is being coordinated by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), is a great opportunity for organisations across Christchurch to showcase the latest rebuild initiatives for the city.

“We are also working hard to rebuild and redevelop Christchurch’s key public health facilities after the Canterbury earthquakes. At our stand you’ll be able to design your own bed head and see what’s happening in the Design Lab as we start to redevelop Burwood and Christchurch Hospitals in the biggest ever health-related building project in New Zealand.

“You will also be able to have a go at Mindball.”

Mr Meates says Mindball is a game where players wear headbands with electrodes that are wired to a biosensor system, which is generously on loan from Science Alive!.

It measures biological signals and registers the brain’s electrical activity as waves, commonly known as an EEG, he says.

“The aim is to be as relaxed as possible and produce lots of Alpha and Theta waves, which will get the ball moving forward and into your opponent’s goal. If you are stressed or agitated, it’s unlikely the ball will even move,” Mr Meates says.

The public can follow this battle of wills on a monitor where you can see the two competing EEG waves on a graph.

“Being relaxed and learning how to unwind and not let the stress get to you is one way of keeping healthy in your own home.

“The Canterbury DHB believes this is the future of health care in our region and we are working hard to create a health system that will support you staying well for as long as possible in your own home and local community.

“We’re also getting older, both our patients and workforce. So our planning has to take into account what the system might look like in 30 years.

“If you are brave enough, have some fun with the ipad app, Oldify to see what you’ll look like in 30 years time. You’ll be able to post the picture to our Facebook page and share it with your friends.

“We look forward to seeing you there.”

ENDS

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