therapy posts(Subscribe to this feed)
Study finds unique gaming disease 'PlayStation palmar hidradenitis'
by David Hinkle 
{ Feb 25th 2009 at 1:00AM }
According to the report, researchers emphasized the case of one 12-year-old girl who arrived at Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland with sores on her palms. She had recently struck up a fascination with a PlayStation game (sorry, the exact title isn't mentioned) and despite developing these sores, continued to play. That's when her folks brought her to the hospital. After 10 days of abstaining from the deadly activity, however, she was sore free! We're sorry, but we wouldn't call that "PlayStation palmar hidradenitis." We'd probably call it: Stop squeezing the controller like you want to break it!
Our favorite line in the entire piece has to be this: "For the disorder to only affect the hands is very unusual." So, wait, you're telling us it's unusual for this so-called disease, the one that comes from using a game controller, to only affect the hands? What other body parts are interacting with your controller?
[Thanks, RazorD!]
Wii Fit helps amputees adjust in the UK
by David Hinkle { Jan 6th 2009 at 8:20PM }
Gallery: Unwrapping Wii Fit
[Via Joystiq]
Wii Fit helping UK amputees lead a balanced life
by Randy Nelson { Jan 6th 2009 at 7:55PM }
Say what you will about the efficacy of Wii Fit as a fitness tool, but at least one UK hospital has found a perfect use for its balance-centric design: helping amputees adapt to walking on their new prosthetic limbs. Nintendo World Report has a piece on Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, which is using Wii Fit's mini-games in addition to traditional physical therapy.
According to Seacroft senior physiotherapist, Lynn Hirst, the key usefulness of the Balance Board and games is enabling patients to tell "where they are taking their weight" in real time. Hirst credits the mini-games with helping "[patients improve] their core stability and their balance." Hey -- that sounds like a great use for a Balance Board.
According to Seacroft senior physiotherapist, Lynn Hirst, the key usefulness of the Balance Board and games is enabling patients to tell "where they are taking their weight" in real time. Hirst credits the mini-games with helping "[patients improve] their core stability and their balance." Hey -- that sounds like a great use for a Balance Board.
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]
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.
Gallery: Wii Fit
[Via Go Nintendo]
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]
Wii-based physical therapy not just for Americans any more
by David Hinkle { Feb 25th 2008 at 1:30PM }
If you were someone not living in the confines of North America, you might have thought we were all going crazy over here, throwing the old physical therapy ways out the window and openly embracing new, Wii-based solutions that might not be totally tested. But hey, we're not complaining, if the people say it helps, then we're all for it.Well, England is finally getting with the times, as the Wii is being used in physiotherapy for some in the south-east portion of the country. Specifically, at Queen Victoria NHS Foundation Trust in East Grinstead, where Maureen Adams, the head of therapy, comments that when "recovering from an operation, such as a skin graft, patients may need recover normal use of their hands and arms. Using the Wii is a way of significantly improving movement, while not seeing the activity as therapy, which helps motivate them. Wii can also be done at home, so patients are able to continue their own personal therapies."
Basically, they're using it for all the same reasons as other folk have been using it. And hey, any way to help these folks regain movement and rebuild their physical selves, we're down with it.
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]
Video games more effective than medication for pain?
by David Hinkle { Dec 18th 2007 at 12:00PM }
Wii Fanboy has presented many stories about how the Wii has been able to help those in need. Whether it be soldiers dealing with combat wounds or the local retirement homes' residents stay active, it's a system that has amazed one and all. Now, a Canadian researcher is finding that video games on the whole have become quite the aid for those with chronic pain.The case of the Wii is especially interesting in regards to this study, because it's been shown to be an excellent physical therapy tool. Not only that, but the immersion factor has to be higher than that of the other current-gen systems. Sure, they have more photo-realistic graphics, but what gets you into the game more? Personally, we're pro-Wii, but then you probably knew that typing in the URL to our blog or however else you got here (tapping your heels together?).
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]
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]
Stroke victim finds the Wii helps with rehab
by David Hinkle { Aug 8th 2007 at 2:15PM }
You know, we've reported on the Wii being used as a rehabilitation tool plenty of times over, but these stories never cease to amaze us. Take a trip with us to the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Minneapolis' Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where stroke victim, and 77-year-old semi-pro tennis player, Jerry Pope is finding the Wii to be quite the comfort during his recovery period. He explains that it is helping him in his journey to get back on the real court."I'm not a video game player," he explains, further adding that the Wii "is the only one I've ever played." Still, it's managed to hold his interest, as he did not have a taste for the conventional physical therapy exercises that follow a stroke. His wife, Gloria, explains that he was in bad shape following the stroke, but is now looking good and well on his way to recovery.
