Wii System More Than A Game

By Susan Hecht, R.N.

Video games, for many years that I can remember, have been geared to the younger generation with parents complaining, “Those video games are no good,” and “My kids sit in front of the television all day on those games.” The older generation often describes video systems as, “Too complicated!” “They’re for kids” or “They’re no good for you.”

But the new Nintendo Wii system is playing a big part in rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury and other patients with decrease in balance, coordination or functional mobility.

Wii requires the player to perform the movements of the game as opposed to pushing buttons on a controller. Saint Francis Hospital’s Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program has implemented the Wii system.

I personally have played the game. It is unbelievable, great for exercise, coordination, balance, eye-hand coordination and motor skills. Here’s how it helps a patient:

It is much more fun than the traditional therapies and exercise programs. It assists in getting patients to communicate and participate in group activities. It helps gain coordination and balance. The games simulate activities such as; tennis, golf, bowling, racing, Ninja games and many more. Keep in mind different games may be helpful to different patients depending on their diagnosis. The games resemble movements of activities of daily living, such as sweeping, washing windows or sometimes even the sport itself. The Ninja games help patients with eye-hand coordination and to even improve scanning visual fields.

Keep in mind that the Wii system is just a tool used by the patients with staff monitoring and does not replace the individual therapy designed upon admission. Here’s some feedback from patients who have used the system: “It was great, the golf is very realistic, and I am a big golfer. It was very helpful” and “The bowling was good for me; it showed me my weaknesses and what I need to work on.”

Saint Francis Hospital Inpatient Rehab continues to research innovative ways to improve the quality of life and increase independence to all our patients throughout their rehabilitation stay.