Nintendo Wii Boxing Tournament Highlights Benefits of Therapy

October is National Physical Therapy Month. The staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville devised an activity to illustrate several therapeutic attributes of Nintendo Wii based treatments. The PT department at this nationally recognized hospital started a boxing tournament designed to illustrate how the Wii gaming system can be used to help young patients develop strength, improve motion and boost quality of life in an engaging way. The PTs are also providing insight to the participants as to how therapists can grade an activity to foster success for those with less function or challenge those with increasing ability.

The benefits of using Wii in occupational, physical and speech therapy seem limited only by the knowledge and creativity of the therapist designing the plan of care. Would you like to improve your level of expertise in using Nintendo Wii in your therapeutic setting? Contact Mershon W. Hinkel at the email address on this blog's profile page to find out about an opportunity to gain experience using the Wii in therapy by attending the workshop,entitled WiiHab: Using Nintendo wii in a Therapeutic Setting.

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!

Wii Therapy - For War Vets and Burn Victims

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, over 30 therapists attended Stockton College's Seminar: Wii-Hab - Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting. Everyone who participated went away with new ideas for their setting.
One participant asked a great question about configuring the Wii Fit balance board for amputees. The questioning therapist wondered if the Wii Fit balance board would configure properly if the one on the board wore a prosthesis. The answer was yes, since the balance board responds to pressure applied it.
Many war veterans must learn to walk again using prosthetic limbs and games offered using Wii Fit help speed their recovery. A fellow soldier and his wife are working hard to help wounded vets gain access to this valuable tool. According to an article appearing online at www.wtop.com, "Air Force Staff Sargent David Flowers and his wife founded Wii's for Warriors, a group that gives away free Nintendo Wii Fit to amputees at Walter Reed."
Seminar attendees also learned about the value of games like the ones available through Wii applications for burn victims. At a hospital in New York City, a study is underway to assess if burn victims improve more quickly using a Nintendo Wii game in therapy or traditional cooking activities.

Nintendo Wii for Fun and for Therapy: Sign up for a Spring Workshop

Regulars at the Los Altos Hillview Recreation Center in California's Silicon Valley now find Wii games engaging and entertaining. The center’s director purchased the Wii with grant funds back in 2008, but the system stayed on the shelf until a volunteer dusted it off and put it into play. A local real estate broker and attorney brought her enthusiasm and expertise to the center, teaching many how to bowl or how to complete a successful ski jump. Watch the video to see these folks in action.
This video provides a great example of using Wii for fun while giving therapists an opportunity to look for ways to change the experience, making it a therapeutic session. First, notice that neither player follows one of the most basic “play it safe” rules. Always use the wrist strap and non-skid remote cover to reduce the risk of a flying remote. Second, in a therapeutic setting, warm-up stretches, passive range of motion or flexibility activities should precede the engagement in Wii activities. Also, during the video, the lady bowler indicates that she feels fatigue or slight strain in her arm following a few frames. A therapist would monitor a player, making sure not only to avoid overuse but also to apply ice if the participant feels fatigue or pain.

Another thing a therapist might do to increase the therapeutic value of Wii would be teach pursed-lip breathing and cue the participant in the proper use of this breathing technique during the activity. One might even print out the patient education sheet and give the sheet to the patient. The information on the handout will help both the patient and family members fully understand the technique for pursed-lip breathing and the importance of using this breathing technique during activities of daily living.

Wii offers endless opportunities for strengthening targeted muscle groups, challenging cognition, improving coordination, increasing endurance, and building confidence.
Therapists wanting to gain more experience with using Nintendo Wii in therapy may attend one of the Wii-hab workshops scheduled for this spring. On March 27, 2010 Stockton College in Pomona, NJ will be the host.

On April 10, 2010, Anne Arundel Community College is offering this workshop. The class will be held at the Arundel Mills Campus bringing this great opportunity to therapists from the Washington Baltrimore area.
To sign up, contact Continuing Education by phone at 410-777-2325 or email at iscenter@aacc.edu

And on May 1, 2010 Penn State University Abington Campus will sponsor this workshop. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists as well as hospital administrators and nurses working in rehabilitation from both the Delaware and Lehigh Valley areas will find the Penn State Abington Campus a convenient location.

Fall, Football, and Wii-Hab

Occupational and physical therapists in the Northeast have two upcoming opportunities this Fall to attend Wii-Hab: Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting. Therapists in the Baltimore/Washington area can still sign up for this course being offered at Anne Arundel Community College on Saturday, November 21, 2009. To sign up, contact Continuing Education by phone at 410-777-2325 or email at iscenter@aacc.edu This course runs from 8AM until 4PM. If your favorite football team has any kick off time other than NOON, attendees will be able to enjoy both experiences in one day. Call today to secure a spot in this interactive and engaging continuing education opportunity.
On December 5, 2009, therapists in South Jersey may attend this Workshop at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
Sign up today and enjoy this opportunity.
OTs, PTs, COTAs, and PTAs will gain continuing education credit in a fun, active program that will help build confidence in using new technology with clients who have various diagnoses including joint replacement, stroke, cancer related fatigue, COPD, and others.

Workshops Expand Therapists' Ability to Incorporate Nintendo Wii

Allegany College of Maryland hosted a "Wii-Marathon" for therapists October 2 and October 3. Therapists arrived from many states including West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York to learn more about the therapeutic uses of Wii technology, an affordable, portable and easy to obtain therapeutic tool.
Penn State Abington, located in a suburb of Philadelphia, will host the next workshop. On October 21, 2009 occupational and physical therapists, along with Nurses and Nursing Home Administrators can be a part of this educational, interactive experience . Space is limited, so contact Penn State Abington Continuing Education to grab one of the few remaining spots.

WiiHab - Using the Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting

Therapists throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey will have the opportunity to learn more about using Wii in therapy during the Fall months. On both Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, Allegany College of Maryland located in Cumberland, Maryland will host the Wii-Hab workshop. On Wednesday October 21, 2009 the Wii-hab Workshop will be held at Penn State Abington. This location is in easy driving distance from Philadelphia and any of the suburbs. The Penn State workshop has been approved for 6 CEUs for Registered Nurses, expanding the appeal for this interactive seminar. The Wii-Hab workshop will be offered at Anne Arundel Community College on November 21. Therapists from the Baltimore/Washington area will like this location. For therapists living in New Jersy, the December 5 date at Stockton College will be great for them. Sign up early! Tell a friend.

MCG's DR. HERZ PRESENTS RESULTS OF STUDY OF WII THERAPY AND PARKINSON'S

Completeing the research and publishing the studies that form the basis for evidence-based medicine takes time, money, and expertise. Lead researcher, Dr. Ben Herz, from Medical College of Georgia, is among the first researchers to publish a study which demonstrates the benefits of using Nintendo Wii in a therapeutic setting. On June 12, 2009 he presented the results of his study that examined the benefits of an occupational therapy intervention for patients with Parkinson's disease using actvities available through Nintendo Wii .

Those attending the fifth anual Games for Health in Boston heard Dr. Herz's report that the study participants demonstrated a decrease in depression as well as an increase in agility. These improvements would be very beneficial to someone with Parkinson's since those with Parkinson's disease experience both depression and bradykinesia (slowing of movement).

Students Enjoy "Wii-Hab - Using the Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting"

Allegany College of Maryland

hosted the most recent Wii-Hab workshops. Students learned how the games in Wii Sports and Wii Fit can be used as therapeutic activities (97530) and/or therapeutic exercises (97110) and/or Neuro-muscular re-education (97112) to achieve specific patient goals. The participants also had fun as they pacticed using Wii Sports and Wii Fit in innovative ways. Students also enjoyed applying what they learned by designing treatment plans for case study patients described as having poor endurance, weakness and lack of coordination.

Additional Wii-Hab workshops at Allegany College of Maryland are planned for October 2 or 3, 2009. Penn State Abington will host Wii-Hab: Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting on October 21, 2009. On Saturday, November 21, 2009, Wii-Hab: Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting, will take place in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area at Anne Arundel Community College's Arundel Mills campus.

Continuing Education Workshop featuring the "Wii OT"

Allegany College in Cumberland, Maryland  is now offering a second one-day continuing education workshop featuring the "Wii OT''.   The May 1st educational workshop is filled to capacity. So, on Saturday, May 2, 2009 another opportunity for occupational and physical therapists (and other rehabilitation professionals) to be introduced to the Nintendo Wii as a therapuetic tool will be offered. The WiiHab Therapy  Workshop offers a full day of exciting activities to help therapists and others involved in health care learn not only the great benefits of using the Wii in their clinical setting, but also the best methods to ensure that using the Wii is truly therapuetic.  

Course Description:

Rehabilitation therapists have a long history of using innovative and entertaining activities to help patients reach therapeutic goals. In this one-day course, therapists will be introduced to the Nintendo Wii as a therapeutic tool which can help patients increase strength, balance, endurance, flexibility and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, participants will learn appropriate adaptations and modification for Wii play in various patient populations, particularly older adults. Course will include case studies and practical considerations for patient safety.

Continuing Education Information:

Approved by the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice for 7 contact hours. Approved by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for .7 CEU’s. All other professionals will receive 7 contact hours from Allegany College of Maryland.

For more information, call:

Linda Atkinson, Director,

Institute for Health

and Human Services

(301) 784-5526

I look forward to seeing many of you there!