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Today's most therapeutic video: Wii rehab
America's sweetheart, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reports for CNN about the Wii being used as a physical therapy device. Ohio State University's Medical Center, like some other hospitals, says the system is a fun way to help patients. No word on if those caregivers had to buy one of the GameStop bundles to score the console.See the segment after the break.
CNN explores the Wii as rehab
Considering the Wii has been on shelves for over a year, we wouldn't call this "breaking news," but mainstream media hasn't ever been all that informed about gaming. Still, it's nice to see the console being covered from an angle other than "video games turn your child into a psycho killer." That and a 30-minute session of Wii three times a week can really help in the physical recovery process. It really is a wonderful little system.See also: Video games more effective than medication for pain?[Via Go Nintendo]
Wii continues role as physical therapist
A Reuters article examines one Franklin Perry, a 51-year-old man currently working to regain his strength after suffering a stroke. Though conventional therapy still mainly aids him at the Ohio State University Medical Center's Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital, spending time with Nintendo's Wii has waggled its way into his list of prescriptions. Therapists are encouraging the patients at the hospital to play 30 minutes a day, two to three times a week, noting that the energetic input not only benefits recovery, but keeps older people from rolling their eyes in boredom and lapsing into back in my day states. "The idea of sitting there fiddling a couple of buttons on a video game (controller) is not motivating or interesting at all," explains occupational therapist Robbie Winget. As for Mr. Perry, he's just keen on heading home and getting a Wii of his own. "I wish I could find one," he says in startling unison with every parent this holiday. "Anybody that's over who wants to play can play. If not, I'll be on that thing all by myself." We just hope someone has the foresight to warn him about Cruis'n, lest he exchange physical therapy for mental reconstruction.
Connecticut hospital jumps on the Wii rehab bandwagon
The mass appeal of the Wii is something we, as well as you, fine reader (seriously, you look good, are you using a new shampoo?) know full well. Retirement communities, rehabilitation centers and now, even some gyms are utilizing it. Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if the console one day cured cancer on its own (probably using Wii Sports).The latest center to take part in the phenomenon is none other than Bridgeport Hospital's Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. There, stroke victim Barbara Everlith is enjoying the wonders of the console, taking part in Wii Sports: Tennis and finding a new and exciting treatment option. Why, in the six weeks since beginning the program, her therapist Courtney Benedetto has said that Barbara has already gained some movement in her left hand. And, it's all thanks to the Wii.[Via Tech.Blorge]
Another retirement community celebrates gaming with Wii
You know full well that senior citizens have been getting their game on with the Wii like crazy folk. Now, at the Briton House Retirement Residence, a short workshop was conducted so that seniors in the retirement community could learn more about the Wii and its health benefits, hopefully putting to rest any apprehensions or apathy these seniors might have had towards not only the Wii, but gaming in general. For some, it seems to have worked.Barbara Foley, 85 years young, says her grand kids all play and often exclaim that it isn't difficult at all. She remained skeptical and decided not to indulge, only later realizing her mistake when the opportunity to play arose at Briton. "I liked it," she exclaimed immediately after playing, further adding "Kids today really know something."Oh, you have no idea the things we know ...
Therapy Tiles: like Twister, but for rehabilitation
Although we assumed that spending time with a Wii was easily the best way to rehabilitate, Entertainment Robotics' Therapy Tiles are looking like a close second. Designed to help patients get motivated, moving about and regaining their strength / motor skills, this game consists of an electronic, interactive surface along with "control programs for the specific therapeutic treatment." Currently, the tiles are being used at the Sygehus Fyn Svendborg hospital in Denmark for rehabilitation of cardiac patients, but it sounds as if anyone interested can phone up the sales team for a quote of their own. Check out the read link for a plethora of photos along with a video demonstration.[Via Wired]
Therapists, Army using Wii to rehabilitate patients
We've seen a variety of methods used to help stroke patients regain motion and motor functions, but we can't think of anything more exciting than playing video games as a critical part of your rehabilitation. Turns out, a number of physical therapists around the country are actually allowing patients to relearn balance and movement skills by playing the Wii, which as you know, it already quite the hit with the geriatric set. Furthermore, injured soldiers in Landstuhl, Germany are also "regaining their strength by playing virtual games on the Wii," and there's even suggestions out to conduct a research study that looks at the effectiveness of using Nintendo's latest console as a rehab tool. Hit the read link for the video report.[Thanks, Pat D.]
Therapists, Army tap Wii for patient rehab
While the Wii has done an admirable job getting gamers to flail their arms and smash home appliances, it's the console's seemingly never-ending stream of minigames that has many of us here shaking our heads rather than our limbs. However, this is not the case for all would-be gamers, as a new report finds that the Wii has become part of a new physical therapy regiment at a medical facility in Minneapolis, where doctors have begun looking to the Wii as a means to help stroke victims on the road to recovery as they attempt to re-learn movements they used to know by playing games like Wii Sports.Not only that, but the same report notes that the Army has likewise enlisted the Wii, noting that the little console that could is being used to help injured soldiers in Landstuhl, Germany regain some of their strength by playing games on the Wii. This is of course encouraging news, not just for those being helped, but also for video games in a more general sense, as we welcome anything that paints the business in a more positive light.[Thanks Joseph]
Xbox 360 rehabilitates wounded Marine
It's a miracle that Lance Cpl. John McClellan survived a bullet to the head while stationed in Haditha, Iraq -- the sniper's bullet missed his carotid artery by less than a millimeter -- but his recovery afterwards is perhaps equally miraculous. The injury -- one of three he has received on duty -- left McClellan without the use of his left hand and leg. His rehab facility gave him a rubber stress ball to exercise his hand, but John had a better idea: videogames. Specifically, McClellan picked up an Xbox 360. His favorite "exercise" is currently Gears of War, which he plays for four hours a day -- and this is after coming home from four hours at his local rehabilitation facility. Initially, Gears was "too fast," but his game is improving as his left hand's dexterity improves. Nice work, John! Keep it up. Maybe he'll move on to Geometry Wars next ....[Via Joystiq]
Rehab center for video game addicts opens in Amsterdam
If you're worried your World of Warcraft habit might be getting a little out of hand, you might think about checking yourself into the Wild Horses Center in Amsterdam. Their video game rehab program, which was started by addiction specialists Smith and Jones, is designed to help you replace the excitement of the fantasy world with real world experiences such as therapy sessions and group interaction. The 16th century town house, in which the patients reside, has no access to gaming of any kind, making it the perfect place to take in the non-polygonal sights the real world has to offer. Unlike the novelty cellphone addiction program being implemented at a Chicago Hotel, Wild Horses is staffed with certified psychologists and addiction specialists that can offer legitimate help to those unwilling to leave their games to have a social life or even use the bathroom. With impressive next-generation consoles like the Wii and the PS3 promising an even more engrossing gaming experience in the near future, we can't help but think this kind of facility might start popping up in other parts of the world as well. Since there probably isn't one in your area yet, we suggest you follow these instructions for making your own game addiction patch. First, tear off two pieces of duct tape. Second, place one piece of the duct tape over the A/V inputs on your TV and the other over the ASDW keys on your keyboard. Then go outside already, would you?
Blackberry detox offered at Chicago-area hotel
We've heard plenty about the negative effects of Blackberry dependence -- eye damage, thumb damage, the complete loss of interpersonal communication skills -- but Chicago hotel general manager Rick Ueno is helping his guests kick their high-tech habit. Upon check-in to the Sheraton Chicago, you can surrender your precious handheld -- we're assuming any type of life-stealing smartphone is eligible -- where a non-robotic clerk will keep it under lock and key until you break down and ask for it back. It was Ueno's own addiction that sparked the idea for the free program, so he understands how hard it is to go cold turkey, even if you're only out of touch from the time you check in until you fire up the in-room WiFi connection.[Thanks Alex N]
