|
|
DECEMBER 7, 2007
|
|
|
|
 |
|
HEY DOC, THIS Rx SAYS I HAVE
TO DO WHAT?
Physical therapists prescribe Wii time
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Lisa Baertlein
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Franklin Perry used to
spend hours performing video game feats with
his thumbs but lately he has been using the
Nintendo Wii, and the rest of his body, to regain
his strength after suffering a stroke.
The 51-year-old, who had a stroke about three
weeks ago, has been working hard to rebuild the
muscles in his immobilized right side at Ohio
State University Medical Center's Dodd Hall
Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I'm just now getting some movement back," said Perry, who before entering
the center logged his game time on a Sony (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research)
PlayStation 2 home console or in shopping mall arcades.
Robbie Winget, an occupational therapist who oversees use of the Wii at Dodd
Hall, said news that a rehab hospital in Alberta, Canada, was using the popular
new video game system sparked the idea.
Winget played with the Wii at a friend's house and was convinced that it could
help patients build balance, coordination, endurance and upper and lower body
strength.
"I thought it was cool that you used your body to control the movement," said
Winget, who added that Nintendo (7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research) has not
provided the hospital with the video game console.
The hospital has been using the Wii for about four months to help people
recovering from strokes and spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, according
to Winget.
Patients also use the Web-connected console to find information on its news
or weather channels to improve brain function.
All the patients at Dodd Hall usually undergo a total of three hours of daily
therapy and work with the video game system for about 30 minutes per day two
to three times per week.
Winget said he didn't think other home video game consoles could match the
Wii's appeal with older patients.
"The idea of sitting there fiddling a couple of buttons on a video game
(controller) is not motivating or interesting at all," said Winget.
Perry, who favors his left hand when playing games, said his Wii therapy
includes holding the "Wiimote" controller in his right hand while he bowls for
strikes or punches and jabs an on-screen opponent.
His therapists said he is pushing hard on all of his exercises, but Perry said
the video games are helping him go to the next level.
"This is more fun. It makes it more exciting. It gets me to work harder," said
Perry, who has a fierce video game rivalry with his teenage nephew.
But Winget said the Wii will not replace conventional therapy. "It's one more way
to meet specific goals associated with therapy," he explained.
Perry said he has two goals -- getting home by Christmas and getting a Wii,
supplies of which are tight for the second holiday season in a row.
"I wish I could find one," said Perry. "Anybody that's over who wants to play can
play. If not, I'll be on that thing all by myself."
|
|
|
|
|
