Wii helps rehabilitation

Rehabilitation now can be called as "Wiihabilitation" as Nintendo's Wii video game system whose appraisal has brought in whooping number of fans even beyond the teen gaming set. This is due to the fact that this towering game system has brought obsession in rehab therapy for patients recuperating from strokes, broken bones, surgery and even combat injuries. The usual stretching and lifting exercises that help the sick or injured regain strength can be excruciating, monotonous and downright boring.In fact, many patients say physical therapy's nickname really stands for "pain and torture".Using the game consoles unique, motion-sensitive controller,Wii games require body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises. But patients become so absorbed mentally they're almost oblivious to the rigor.In the Wii system, because it's kind of a game format, it does create this kind of inner competitiveness. Even though you may be boxing or playing tennis against some figure on the screen, it's amazing how many of our patients want to beat their opponent.

The most popular Wii games in rehab involve sports — baseball, bowling, boxing, golf and tennis. Using the same arm swings required by those sports, players wave a wireless controller that directs the actions of animated athletes on the screen.A lot of guys don't have full finger function so it definitely helps being able to work on using their fingers more and figuring out different ways to use their hands and arms. They are getting enhanced fortitude, potency and harmonization. Even though it has been shown that some form of endurance related to strength, flexibility and balance would be challenged when you play the Wii, it requires hard scientific proof to support it. Dr. Julio Bonis of Madrid says he has proof that playing Wii games can have physical effects of another kind. "Wiiitis" — a condition he says he developed last year after spending several hours playing the Wii tennis game.