Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wii-habilitation



Game consoles often get a bad rap. When Practical Man is in the throes of Singstar, we all understand why (and I have the video to prove it).

Sometimes the negativity around game consoles is warranted. If you spend all your time hooked up, not good. Some of the games are questionable. Like most things in life, it's all about good choices and balance.

So it's good to counteract some of that negativity with a really positive application of the game console Wii. The Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Sydney has been using the Wii in some of its rehabilitation programs. Suzanne Stacey, a recreational therapist, points out that research indicates that virtual reality can be a useful tool in rehabilitation, with a particular application in addressing some of the repetitive tasks, while providing opportunities to improve balance and movement skills, hand-eye coordination, strength and cognition in a fun way.

Effectiveness is difficult to gauge because, of course, the Wii is used as an adjunctive therapy to more conventional rehabilitation techniques.

Now there's an interesting study for someone out there....?

Resource:

Sydney Morning Herald 21-22 June

2 comments:

shrink on the couch said...

Glad to read that video games are getting some positive attention.

My son saved up to buy the Wii (he wasn't getting it otherwise). I must admit, I love the Wii sports, tennis in particular. Its almost as fun as real tennis, in fact, maybe more fun because I'm more accurate with the wee-mote than I am IRL.

Dr. Deb said...

Don't know of any as of yet. I can say that we have a Wii and really enjoy family time more than ever now.