September 2008

 

Nintendo Wii Aids Physical Rehabilitation at Frankford Hospitals

Contributed by: Joseph Herzig, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department

  

The Nintendo Wii has exploded onto the scene in physical rehabilitation. It is a game system created by Nintendo, which has made video games more physically interactive than the traditional sedentary-based, hand-held game
systems. The Wii uses a television screen to display games and activities including bowling, tennis, baseball, and playing the guitar, to name a few. Players hold a wand that senses their body movements, and translates that into action on the TV screen. You can play by yourself or compete with multiple players. Healthcare professionals in physical rehabilitation and nursing facilities are increasingly using Wii to improve balance, endurance, range of motion, handeye coordination and sequencing abilities. One of the many accessories used with the game system is a balance board that is used to perform balance games, such as skiing, soccer, and tilt table activities.

The Physical/Occupational Therapy Departments at both the Frankford and Bucks County campuses plan to implement the Nintendo Wii into treatment sessions in order to make therapy more interactive and fun. Each member of the therapy staff was designated a Wii game and had to design a protocol detailing game set-up, playing instructions, as well as indications and contraindications for use with specific patient populations. Once all protocols have been finalized, implementation will begin during treatment sessions. After a review of literature regarding this topic, it has been reported that patients have taken more interest in therapy with improved compliance rates, and are achieving goals set by both themselves and their therapists. We are excited about the opportunity to
incorporate cutting-edge technology into treatment sessions here at Frankford Hospitals.