rehab posts(Subscribe to this feed)
Kick your WoW habit with ReSTART clinic
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 7th 2009 at 9:35AM }
"We've been doing this for years on an outpatient basis," Hilarie Cash, the center's director, told the AP. "Up until now, we had no place to send them."
Of course, if you want to kick your WoW addiction for just a little bit less cash, the serious professionals of the Joystiq Internet Rehabilitation Clinic Staffed By Serious Professionals have some fine replacement therapies to recommend.
Hospital puts Wii to use, surgeons praise it
by David Hinkle { Jul 10th 2008 at 2:00PM }
Surgical resident, Jeff Henke, commented that "this does really help." He further added that it "prepares you to enter the operating room." Now, we may be a bit biased, but we're not surprised that the Wii is such a diverse system. it's used to doing what no video game console could in the past.
[Via Codename Revolution]
Hospitals now less boring -- Fun Centers on the way
by Phil Larsen { Jun 25th 2008 at 11:00AM }
Sick kids are in for some fun, thanks to Nintendo and the Starlight Foundation. The Wii is heading for hundreds of hospitals in North America and Canada, all bundled up in Fun Centers packed with awesome stuff. Rehabilitation seems to be the Wii's favorite word, as Nintendo manufactures 1250 Fun Centers -- with 500 to be in place by the end of the year.The Fun Centers come with a Sharp flat-screen TV, a DVD player and a Wii with a bunch of games including Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports and Mario Party 8. What, you were expecting Resident Evil 4?
Paula Van Ness of Starlight said "Our Fun Centers transform the hospital experience for children, bringing enjoyment and laughter to an otherwise daunting experience." Yeah, damn straight it's daunting -- and what did the friendly hospital staff bring this blogger when he was down and out with appendicitis? Battletoads. Yeah, the most ball-breakingly difficult game ever conceived didn't make the hospital stay any more fun.
[Via press release]
Wii Fit the new go-to for rehab clinics?
by David Hinkle { Jun 19th 2008 at 6:00PM }
"We are looking to incorporate Wii Fit into the athletic training room as far as rehabilitation, for example, on post-operative knees and ankles," said Sue Stanley-Green, professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College. She noted that the success of the console in other rehab scenarios fueled their interest in Wii Fit, stating that "Fitness-oriented video games are also being used more and more in nursing homes for rehabilitation," also adding "Fitness video games have some really good potential to improve fitness in everyone."
[Via Engadget]
CNN talks gaming for health
by David Hinkle { Jun 6th 2008 at 11:00PM }
CNN is all over the Wii Fit thing. First, they had Mario Armstrong come in and demo the package for them, now Dr. Sanjay Gupta is taking time out to discuss the benefits of using games as a health tool, namely in the rehabilitation sector. We've heard stories about places using Wii to help rehabilitate their patients, but it's now gaining more ground, as Dr. Gupta mentions the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is funding 12 different studies that will specifically see if games can be used as a means for making us healthier individuals.
If all the serious medical talk bores you, then laugh at the CNN employees doing the hula hoop minigame while one the Balance Board. They really get into it.
[Via Go Nintendo]
Today's most therapeutic video: Wii rehab
by Zack Stern { Jan 4th 2008 at 1:30AM }
America's sweetheart, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reports for CNN about the Wii being used as a physical therapy device. Ohio State University's Medical Center, like some other hospitals, says the system is a fun way to help patients. No word on if those caregivers had to buy one of the GameStop bundles to score the console.See the segment after the break.
CNN explores the Wii as rehab
by David Hinkle { Jan 2nd 2008 at 9:00PM }
See also: Video games more effective than medication for pain?
[Via Go Nintendo]
Wii continues role as physical therapist
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Dec 6th 2007 at 2:34PM }
A Reuters article examines one Franklin Perry, a 51-year-old man currently working to regain his strength after suffering a stroke. Though conventional therapy still mainly aids him at the Ohio State University Medical Center's Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital, spending time with Nintendo's Wii has waggled its way into his list of prescriptions. Therapists are encouraging the patients at the hospital to play 30 minutes a day, two to three times a week, noting that the energetic input not only benefits recovery, but keeps older people from rolling their eyes in boredom and lapsing into back in my day states. "The idea of sitting there fiddling a couple of buttons on a video game (controller) is not motivating or interesting at all," explains occupational therapist Robbie Winget. As for Mr. Perry, he's just keen on heading home and getting a Wii of his own. "I wish I could find one," he says in startling unison with every parent this holiday. "Anybody that's over who wants to play can play. If not, I'll be on that thing all by myself." We just hope someone has the foresight to warn him about Cruis'n, lest he exchange physical therapy for mental reconstruction.
Connecticut hospital jumps on the Wii rehab bandwagon
by David Hinkle { Oct 23rd 2007 at 4:00PM }
The mass appeal of the Wii is something we, as well as you, fine reader (seriously, you look good, are you using a new shampoo?) know full well. Retirement communities, rehabilitation centers and now, even some gyms are utilizing it. Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if the console one day cured cancer on its own (probably using Wii Sports).The latest center to take part in the phenomenon is none other than Bridgeport Hospital's Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. There, stroke victim Barbara Everlith is enjoying the wonders of the console, taking part in Wii Sports: Tennis and finding a new and exciting treatment option. Why, in the six weeks since beginning the program, her therapist Courtney Benedetto has said that Barbara has already gained some movement in her left hand. And, it's all thanks to the Wii.
[Via Tech.Blorge]
Another retirement community celebrates gaming with Wii
by David Hinkle { Oct 18th 2007 at 11:01PM }
You know full well that senior citizens have been getting their game on with the Wii like crazy folk. Now, at the Briton House Retirement Residence, a short workshop was conducted so that seniors in the retirement community could learn more about the Wii and its health benefits, hopefully putting to rest any apprehensions or apathy these seniors might have had towards not only the Wii, but gaming in general. For some, it seems to have worked.Barbara Foley, 85 years young, says her grand kids all play and often exclaim that it isn't difficult at all. She remained skeptical and decided not to indulge, only later realizing her mistake when the opportunity to play arose at Briton. "I liked it," she exclaimed immediately after playing, further adding "Kids today really know something."
Oh, you have no idea the things we know ...
Therapists, Army tap Wii for patient rehab
by Jason Dobson { Oct 1st 2007 at 12:12PM }
Not only that, but the same report notes that the Army has likewise enlisted the Wii, noting that the little console that could is being used to help injured soldiers in Landstuhl, Germany regain some of their strength by playing games on the Wii. This is of course encouraging news, not just for those being helped, but also for video games in a more general sense, as we welcome anything that paints the business in a more positive light.
[Thanks Joseph]
Xbox 360 rehabilitates wounded Marine
by Richard Mitchell { Dec 22nd 2006 at 4:00PM }
It's a miracle that Lance Cpl. John McClellan survived a bullet to the head while stationed in Haditha, Iraq -- the sniper's bullet missed his carotid artery by less than a millimeter -- but his recovery afterwards is perhaps equally miraculous. The injury -- one of three he has received on duty -- left McClellan without the use of his left hand and leg. His rehab facility gave him a rubber stress ball to exercise his hand, but John had a better idea: videogames. Specifically, McClellan picked up an Xbox 360. His favorite "exercise" is currently Gears of War, which he plays for four hours a day -- and this is after coming home from four hours at his local rehabilitation facility. Initially, Gears was "too fast," but his game is improving as his left hand's dexterity improves. Nice work, John! Keep it up. Maybe he'll move on to Geometry Wars next ....[Via Joystiq]
