Watch: Wii Used for Therapy...Wii-Hab

Madonna rehab released a video showing therapists working with a few patients with brain injury using Wii in therapy.
The cation below the video reads:
"Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital features the Wii and similar games as part of its CARF accredited brain injury program. In conjunction with other rehabilitation methods, the Wii games help improve balance, coordination, visual and motor skills. In addition, the games help "re-wire" the brain as patients with brain injury improve cognitive skills involved with problem solving, following directions and social interaction."

Wii in Therapy: Enhance Your Skills

Fall 2010 brings opportunities to stretch your imagination by learning about modifications as well as brainstorming with other therapists about creative uses for Wii. Join colleagues for "Wii-Hab: Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting."

September 23, 2010 - Easter Seals Capper Foundation, Topeka, Kansas

October 16, 2010 - Penn State Abington Campus - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 29, 2010 - Allegany College of Maryland - Cumberland, Maryland

After attending the workshop therapists will return to their work setting with new ideas about Wii. Be the therapist who knows how to take Wii beyond bowling toward challenging therapeutic activities to improve outcomes in many settings!

WiiHab - Therapy Blog listed in "Top 50 Occupational Therapy Blogs."

Readers may like to know that WiiHab- Rehabilitative Therapy using the Wii by the "Wii OT made the list of the "Top 50 Occupational Therapy Blogs." (To view this list, click July 2010 under Blogs in the left-hand margin.)
Wiihabilitation, a site out of England posted a headline recently: Wiihabilitation increases participation in therapy. This headline refers to a work published in VIRTUAL REHABILITATION in August of 2008 by Ramchandani, A. Carroll, K. Buenaventura, R. Douglas, J. and Justin Liu from Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA.
Options for using Wii in therapy abound. Adaptations make Wii useful and engaging across patient populations, limited only by the imagination of the therapist.

Wii-hab therapy for people recovering from brain injury -

A professor of adaptive physical education at Skyline College in San Bruno, CA, explains how he uses Wii activities to help clients who continue to struggle with physical and cognitive issues long after the initial brain injury. Chip Chapman describes his work with individuals who may have had extensive therapy in a medical setting earlier, but are seeking help for residual disability in an adaptive physical educational setting now. Professor Chapman speaks about the importance of repetition and consistency with this population. The value of using Wii activities with individuals who have cognitive and physical deficits from brain injury has been documented in the literature. In October of 2008 an article was published in Physical Therapy by J. Deutsch et al which highlighted the value of incorporating Wii activities into a rehab program for an adolescent with cerebral palsy. The child participated in activity for 60 - 90 minutes during 11 different sessions.
Wii brings fun into the rehabilitation process. Fun and engaging activities help make the repetitive work of rehab more enjoyable.

Kansas Optometrists Present Poster on "The Use of the Nintendo Wii Balance Board with the Head Injury Population"

At the recent 6th International Congress of Behavioral Optometry, Dr. Joseph B. Sullivan along with Dr. Julie A. Toon presented a poster detailing their use of the Wii Fit balance programs for adults with head injury.
These optometrists utilize Wii fit balance activities to help address residual visual disturbances affecting balance and spatial awareness including convergence issues, oculomotor problems, and visual field deficits. The presenters also explain that other problems including "muscle paresis, decreased reaction time, reduced stamina and decreased attention span" contribute to the difficulties adults with brain injury experience during recovery.
These optometrists illustrate their use of Wii activities to help adults with brain injury improve the integration of the visual and vestibular systems. These gains are documented on a spreadsheet which allows the doctors to quickly assess changes in BMI, balance percent by side, body test results, Wii Fit age, and performance on activity procedures.
Take a moment to look at this poster. Medical uses of virtual reality continue to increase as improved outcomes using tools available through Wii Sports and Wii Fit are documented. Wiihab proves itself to be versatile, affordable and fun. How have you utilized Wii therapy lately? Post your experiences in the comment section!

NASCAR INTERSECTS WII THERAPY (WIIHAB) as KYLE PETTY, Racing's Renaissance Man, meets the "Wii" OT

Sometimes unexpected opportunity and inspiration find you. On a recent Tuesday evening in Williamsburg, Va. I met someone who offers both to anyone willing to make the investment. Kyle Petty, known to many through ever popular NASCAR racing, spoke to the attendees of the Electrical Utility Fleet Managers Conference. His engaging speech explained his family's role in building the sport of auto racing. First, he told of his Grandfather, Lee, who was drawn to racing as a way to provide for his family. Next, through engaging stories, he introduced the listers to his now famous father, Richard. Richard loved the sport and drove for the thrill. Kyle explained that he, personally, also loved the thrill of racing like his father. Both Kyle and his wife were excited that their son Adam dreamed of carrying on the Petty racing legacy. Shock and sadness swept over every listener as Mr. Petty explained how that dream would not be realized. As he continued, Mr. Petty transformed our shock and sadness into admiration and hope as we learned how this amazing family turned tragedy into a vision and then into the reality of helping kids with special needs as a way to honor the life and dreams of their son, Adam.
Victory Junction, a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses operates near Randleman, NC. Since opening in 2004, over 11,000 children and families have been served by programs designed especially for them. Many different populations are served over the summer as well as throughout the year. One aspect that makes this camp so special is that each week is dedicated to a specific diagnosis category, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and burns, among others. Mr. Petty explained the importance of this model. By bringing individuals who struggle with similar problems together, they learn that they are not alone. As therapists, we recognize that grouping in this manner enhances opportunity for peer modeling and social support.
Hopefully, everyone who reads this blog post will consider becoming involved at some level with this great organization. Occupational and physical therapist and students could volunteer as cabin counselors or in another capacity. Your expertise would be appreciated and you would learn so much. Students considering applying for occupational or physical therapy school could also spend a week with the campers and gain valuable experience while giving back so much. Parents looking for something special for their child may find that this camp would provide the care and respite they seek. I plan to contact Victory Junction about volunteering myself. I want to work with these special kids in the fresh air while they involve themselves in real world golfing, bowling, swimming, driving and fishing ... all the things that in the school setting we are luckily able to do in the virtual world through Wii Therapy.