When using a computer, as with many activities, you may experience occasional discomfor t in your hands,
arms, shoulders, neck, or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent
or recurring discomfor t, pain, throbbing, achin g, tingling, numbness, bur ning sensation, or stif fness,
DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARNING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL,
even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer. Symptoms like these can be as sociated
with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the ner ves, muscl es, tendons, or
other par ts of the body. Thes e musculoskel etal disorders (MSDs) include carpal tunn el syndrom e, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis, and other conditions.
While rese archers are not yet able to answe r many questions about MSDs, there is general agreement that
many factors may be linked to their occurrence, including: overall health, stress and how one copes with it,
medical an d physical conditions, and how a person positions and uses his or her body during work and other
activities (including use of a keyboard or mouse). The amount of time a person performs an ac tivity may also
be a fact or.
Some guidelines that may help yo u work more comfo rtably with your computer and possibly reduce your
risk of experiencing an MSD can be found in the “Healthy Computing Guide” installed with this device’s
software, or in the “Healthy Gaming Guide” available at www.xbox.com. If this device did not come with
software, you can access the “Healthy Computing Guide” at www.microsoft.com/hardware or (in the United
States only) by calling (800) 3 60-7561 to requ est a CD at no charge.
If you have questions about how yo ur own lifest yle, activities, or medical, or physical condition may be
related to MSDs, see a qualied health professional.
Photosensitive Seizures
A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images,
including ashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Even people who have no history
of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these “photosensitive epileptic
seizures” while watching video games.
These seizures may have a variety of symptoms, including lightheadedness, altered vision, eye or face
twitching, jer king or sha king of arm s or legs, disorientation , confusion, or momentary loss of awareness .
Seizure s may also cause lo ss of conscious ness or convulsions that can lead to injury from falling down or
striking nearby object s.
Immediately stop playing and consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Parents should
watch for or ask their children about the above symptoms — children and teenagers are more likely than
adults to experience these seizures. The risk of photosensitive epileptic seizures may be reduced by taking
the following precautions:
● Sit farther from the television screen.
● Use a smaller television screen.
● Play in a well-lit room.
● Do not play when you are drowsy or fatigued.
If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epile psy, consult a doctor before pl aying.