Beating illness; In association with the NHS.

BLONDIE drummer Clem Burke is teaming up with British researchers to investigate the potential health benefits of playing drumming-based interactive computer games.

Academics plan to explore what effects popular games such as Guitar Hero World Tour (GHWT) can have on childhood and adult obesity, autism and stroke patients. Investigations will also centre on whether introducing interactive video games in the workplace could aid stress release and improve productivity among staff.

On Friday, Burke will launch the year-long Clem Burke Drumming Project, which has been set up with the University of Chichester in West Sussex and the University of Gloucestershire.

Dr Marcus Smith, principal lecturer in exercise physiology at the University of Chichester, said they were also interested in monitoring people who progress from playing interactive drumming games to real-life drums.

He said: "As researchers we are interested in understanding why such games are so appealing and how they may be used to investigate specific research questions.

"We are particularly interested in examining the effects of playing GHWT on child and adult obesity, autism, stroke patients, disengaged communities and health and mental well-being in the workplace."