'Wii-habilitation' for Surgeries, Strokes and More

Swift19 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 10:09 AM

Today, Ohio's Lake Hospital System revealed that they have successfully used the Nintendo Wii to help patients recovering from strokes, surgeries and broken bones. Using Wii Fit and other Wii titles with skiing and bowling, patients are improving their cardiovascular fitness, aerobic strength and balance.

"The Wii complements traditional and functional therapies while engaging patients in their therapy in a fun and entertaining way," said Nancy Ditzel, a physical therapist at Lake Hospital System. "Rehabilitation can be hard, and it's often painful. Wii takes the focus off that. Patients are having so much fun that they often don't realize how hard they're working."

"To be able to walk and feed myself again, I basically had to start from scratch," said Sherry Siburt, who has gone through two neck surgeries. "I couldn't stand by myself when I came in here. Now, I'm standing by myself and playing a game. It's pretty remarkable."

"Because Wii is goal-oriented and competition-oriented, it motivates patients to step outside of their comfort zone and do things they might be reluctant to do in another setting," said John Baniewicz, M.D. "We're seeing patients at all levels of function, even those confined to wheelchairs, attain improved balance and strength."

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This should get more good publicity for gaming.

**Opunaya** · 06-09-2008, 10:14 AM

Yeah, I had heard some people used the DS to do things like this as well...and then you have the hospitals that have video games there to help keep the patients mind off of their sickness.

Time and again, games have proved and continue to prove that they are a good thing.

**.Lovable.** · 06-09-2008, 12:51 PM

when i was in the hospital, after my heart stopped, i had a ps3 in my room.

it pained me that i was on so many drugs, that i was unable to play though.
was a sad sad sad week. ha.

**Opunaya** · 06-09-2008, 12:57 PM

It was just a big tease, huh?

**.Lovable.** · 06-09-2008, 01:20 PM

kinda, but not really in a way...
my family kept it in a cubbard where i couldn't see it, cause they knew i'd get upset if i couldn't play the damn thing.. haha.
the night before my heart surgery, they told me that they had been hiding it, and asked if i wanted to play cause i was freakin out about it, and stressed.
but i didn't feel good cause of the drugs, and couldn't anyways, so i really only had to deal with it. for a few days. instead of a week.

**Opunaya** · 06-09-2008, 01:31 PM

Aw...well, that was sweet of them...maybe next time your heart stops you can play it!

**.Lovable.** · 06-09-2008, 01:49 PM

i know right!