Looking to Amp Up Physical Therapy? Maybe You Are Ready for Wii-hab

Are you bored with your exercise program? Then perhaps you’re ready for some Wii-hab.

Many rehabilitation clinics across the country are starting to use more interactive forms of exercise to immerse their patients in an exciting form of treatment and to allow for a better, more functional recovery. Some of these interactive systems are available and intended for use at home, but have crossed over into rehab clinics to aide in patient recovery.

The Nintendo Wii video game system is a movement-based video game system that uses a video game console and wireless Bluetooth controllers to allow the player, or in this case a patient, to control their character in the game. There are several sensors in each remote that detect where the user’s hand is in space and how fast they are moving. This allows the user to control the character through his movements, and in return mimics the user.

The Wii system allows the user more exciting movements while in the rehab clinic. The system has many games and sports that are all interactive. For example: boxing, tennis, golf, baseball, skiing and even cooking! The Wii Fit game guides its users through 40 different activities including yoga, exercises to improve balance, aerobic activities and strength training all while standing on a balance board that senses the user’s weight and center of gravity.

Therapists at Martin Memorial are using the Wii system in some of our seven outpatient rehab clinics to promote more functional movements, along with more exciting alternatives to balance training and exercise. It’s used to retrain the body to use the weaker side after a stroke, or promote weight bearing on a new knee replacement and can even help with coordination. The system is constantly giving the patient visual feedback on the screen and showing how to perform the given task.

There are many benefits for using the Nintendo Wii system, but only a couple of precautions. People with seizure disorders should not use the system or be near the television screen. The unit is a form of exercise and people with cardiac conditions and balance disorders should only use the system with guidance from a medical professional for safety.

Keeping up with the technologically advancing population, we are continuing to apply these enhancements in our clinics to provide the best and most exciting care in the area.

--Victoria Strome
Physical Therapy Assistant