Therapists now attempting to battle Parkinson's with Wii
by David Hinkle 
{ Apr 7th 2008 at 12:00PM }
The Wii is further branching out into new areas of therapy, as we find out that not only is the console helping wounded troops and those who have suffered strokes and the like, but also to aid those in controlling their Parkinson's. When our obsession becomes less of a box to kill boredom and more a box to heal human life, you can bet that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.It's all part of a Medical College of Georgia study to see if the Nintendo Wii can aid in the occupational therapy of those with Parkinson's. So, while it isn't a full-fledged commitment to the treating the disease through Wii, it's an acknowledgment that the Wii has helped others and could be something to help more folks in the future.
"We're hoping to show a slowing of the progression of the disease and a decrease in medication while increasing function. If we can teach patients to exercise and do functional activities, maybe we can have them take less medications," says Dr. Ben Herz, assistant professor of occupational therapy in the School of Allied Health Sciences and one half of the main team behind this study. "Because the Wii is interactive and you have to do certain functional movements to be successful," he goes on to say, "it's an effective modality for working with Parkinson's patients," says Dr. Herz. "One of the therapists uses the Wii for timing and loosening up, and the other uses it for coordination and balance issues."
[Via Go Nintendo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian @ Apr 7th 2008 12:20PM
You got to be joking.....
David Hinkle @ Apr 7th 2008 12:32PM
If they are kidding, it's about a week late.
Brian @ Apr 7th 2008 12:35PM
true, true.
Jeremy @ Apr 7th 2008 12:36PM
I have not really commented on gaming and therapy but it does sound like it could be a possibility. People with certain problems in mobility could benefit from something that improves their range of motion.
Think about it like if you had a problem with stiff joints in your arms. A few games of Wii tennis or bowling and your joints won't be so tight and you could eventually move better. Praise needs to be given to the people doing the research in this area that one day they may find that something like the Wii could help people around the world.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 7th 2008 12:43PM
Am I the only one who sees the word therapist and sees "the rapist"
analyst + therapist =....?
Kean Pedersen @ Apr 7th 2008 12:54PM
Alex Trebek: Right, Mr. Connery why don't you pick?
Sean Connery: It looks like this is my lucky day! I'll take The Rapists for $200.
Alex Trebek: That's "Therapists..." That's "Therapists," not "The Rapists." Lets skip "Therapists" and try "Household Objects" for $400. And the answer is, "You usually drink water out of one of these..."
(Buzz)
Alex Trebek: Sean Connery.
Sean Connery: A leather glove!
Pointz @ Apr 7th 2008 12:56PM
You're not the only one, I laugh whenever I see the word "the-rapist"
David Hinkle @ Apr 7th 2008 7:01PM
Somebody's been watching Arrested Development.
:)
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 7th 2008 8:01PM
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Thank you David, I'm always glad to find other AD fans.
SoshiKitai @ Apr 7th 2008 1:31PM
Obviously it ain't the only therapy out there, but it's one of the more FUN ones.
...and believe me, just like medicine, therapies should be more fun.
(One time, my doctor gave me some pink medicine when I had an awful illness... and it tasted like bubble gum! DELICIOUS BUBBLE GUM!!! Man, I pretended to be sick a few more days so I could have more of that stuff.... I probably shouldn't be taking medicine when I'm not sick though..........
the point is: Therapy should be fun, and medicine should taste delicious.)
David Hinkle @ Apr 7th 2008 7:02PM
And doctors should be able to tell when you're faking, right?
They sure are paid enough, so a little lie detection should be tossed in, if you ask me.
SoshiKitai @ Apr 7th 2008 7:46PM
Oh no no, I finished my sickness way before I met up with the doctor again. I was faking to everyone else...so they wouldn't stop me from having the medicine. :P
hvnlysoldr @ Apr 8th 2008 12:23AM
Not only is Wii a little fuel efficient tank with an indestructible missile, it trains future Nintendo soldiers, converts all forms of life, and heals the wounded so they can continue the war.
Otty @ Apr 8th 2008 8:54AM
My father has Parkinson's and I introduced him to Wii Sports Bowling yesterday and he loved it. I thought he might get frustrated since he wasn't good at it at all, but he enjoyed trying to get better at it each game. He even said he would love to get a Wii for himself. If it will help with his coordination and balance, I'm all for it.
Carol O'Dell @ Apr 8th 2008 7:28PM
Wii is a great way for sandwich genration families to actually do something together. My 79 year old mother in law beat our 21 year old (and her 50 year old son) at Wii bowling this Christmas!
Just remember to wear the strap--and watch out for people walking by--and dogs. We had several near "smack downs."
For Parkinson's patients (my mom had PD) the greatest thing Wii can do is take their minds off their disease for a few minutes. Best therapy is a smile.
~Carol D. O'Dell
Author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir
available on Amazon
www.mothering-mother.com
Dr. Ben Herz @ Apr 21st 2008 11:24AM
He;hello all
I am the research named in the article...I would like you to know that the wii coupled with OT activities there has been a significant difference in each participants performance...for those that say yeah right I say I have seen it and am only concernd for the participants abilities later...the Combination seems to assist with increasing the functional status of the participants and decreasing the slowness of movement and ridigity...It does look promising...for those that say yeah right research parkinson's disease and see what its about...thanks