PHOENIX, Ariz. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Video games like wii are being
used to help patients with everything from Alzheimer's to coordination
problems. It's fun, but does it really help? Now, for the first time,
researchers say they have the answer.
After surgery for a paralyzing neck injury, Benjamin Norris is learning to
move his arms again.
Judy Kramer fell and broke both arms. Diabetic neuropathy makes it hard to
keep her balance. Sharon Eshelman has guillain barre syndrome -- making her
muscles numb and weak.
Now, for each, rehab is "wii-hab." in what may be the first study of its
kind, researchers analyzed 50 different wii games and found a high
correlation between movements used in the games and specific daily, life
tasks.
"The game boxing, the upper cut task, correlates specifically with feeding
yourself, hand-to-mouth pattern, bowling and hair combing,“ Kimberly Briggs,
Occupational Therapist at Banner Health, told Ivanhoe.
Not long ago, Benjamin couldn't lift a fork. Computerized motion analysis
showed the boxing game could retrain his arms and his brain.
The study showed this tilt table game specifically activates and builds core
muscle groups to help Sharon strengthen her midsection.
"I used to be a cross-country skier, and this is pretty close,“ Judy Kramer,
a
"wii-hab" patient, told Ivanhoe. A skiing game had a high correlation to
improvements in core and leg strength to help Judy walk safely again.
"I think that using gaming platforms, not for games, but for therapy itself
will be the wave of the future,“ Marshall Smith, M.D., system Director of
Simulation and Innovation at Banner Health, told Ivanhoe.
Who knew getting better could be this much fun? Though researchers
specifically studied wii games, the goal is to develop even more
therapeutically-targeted games to maximize the benefits for patients.
For More Information, Contact:
Banner Good Samaritan Public Relations
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 839-4411
BGS.publicrelations@bannerhealth.com
