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
