Physical therapists are starting to think that devices like the Nintendo Wii can help people fight disease and speed rehabilitation. Ben Herz, an occupational therapist at the Medical College of Georgia, in a study of 20 Parkinson’s patients has shown that playing bowling, tennis and baseball games improved the performance of patients on a range of tests such as the ability to stand up and walk a short distance.
Jacob Vogelstein from John Hopkins University and Jonathan Kuniholm of Duke University are developing a new kind of prosthetic limb due for completion in 2010, however until it is complete, to keep their patients muscles from atrophying, they are having them use a hacked controller from Guitar Hero, which is far more compelling than any gimmicky rehab game.
There is definitely more to come as well. Microsoft unveiled its new “Project-Natal,” due out sometime next year, which will turn the player’s body into the controller. Imagine the physical therapy benefits of that! Physios recommend a healthy dose of gaming.
No comments:
Post a Comment