Wii-Hab: Proof it Works
Reported December 17, 2009
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
[email protected]
