Wii Use for Therapy After Stroke

A study lead by Dr. Gustavo Saposnik, director of Stroke Outcomes Research Unit, St. Michael Hospital’s (Toronto) , shows the value of Wii activities for individuals in therapy following a stroke. WiiHab - Rehabilitative Therapy Using The Wii by "THE WII OT" previously brought this study to readers' attention in February of 2010.
Recovering from a stroke requires a long process involving repetitive actions in order to provide the brain an opportunity to "rewire". For most stroke patients, who may naturally suffer depression following the loss of function, this requirement of repetitive, long-term therapy falls by the wayside. Wii offers this population a way to expand the benefits of occupational and physical therapy into the home setting, reaping improved outcomes while discovering a new, motivating use for leisure time.

Special Wii Software designed for Therapy

Kaasa Health GmbH of Düsseldorf has developed software - Wiiware- specifically for use in a clinical setting. This program focuses on balance training making that often boring and monotonous work fun. Building on the fact that the balance board is a force plate capable of extracting data about one's center of balance and ability to shift weight, this specifically designed game environment helps those with balance issues improve. Since balance ability influences fall risk in seniors, playing this video game might be a key component in reducing the occurrence of falls and the associated physical, emotional and monetary costs in elders. Using Wii Fit in therapy was shown to improve balance and ability to walk with a walker when a group of therapists added 4 sessions of Wiihab to a regular therapy program. Now, with the development of specific software program for rehab, more therapists may begin to incorporate Wii into the clinical setting.

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.

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.

Grant Award Brings Wii Into The Classroom

Since Nintendo brought Wii to the market in 2006, many avid players who also happen to work with individuals with compromised function recognized this tool’s potential for addressing deficits. A special needs teacher in Ohio saw many great ways that Wii activities could improve student outcomes in his classroom.

The teacher, Kevin McDaniels, applied for funds to purchase the needed equipment for his classroom through Mid Ohio Energy Cooperative, INC’s Community Fund because Kevin recognized that using Wii complimented student time spent in occupational and physical therapy. Using Wii activities in the classroom seems to help students improve hand writing and balance by challenging both their fine and gross motor skills.

Although Nintendo has lowered the price of the Wii Console recently, the dollar amount needed to bring the benefits of Wii into classrooms and rehabilitation clinics may be in excess of usual pre-set budgets. Grants and donations have historically filled budgetary gaps in programs focusing on helping address needs in many communities. Most communities have organizations ranging from service groups to corporations willing to help programs reach out and serve those community members with specific needs.

Interested occupational and physical therapists as well as teachers can learn more about skills for grant writing and finding potential donor organizations by attending a grant writing workshop available often through area high school or college adult learning programs, found through internet searches or through companies, such as Grant Writing USA

Exercising With Wii? This Link Suggests Doing Some Research.

A writer working for a Philadelphia online paper, the Examiner.com focuses on Wii Fit. In her article posted on September 8, 2009 she suggests that Wii Fit enthusiasts compile research to build the evidence needed to support the value of Wii Fit. The author, Raina Casare lists 4 steps Wii Fit players should follow to compile needed support of Wii Fit’s value as a true tool for virtual reality fitness.

As therapists, following these same steps can help us gather data supporting Wii Fit’s importance as a therapeutic tool for occupational and physical therapy.

Many students choose to do research aimed at boosting Wii as a tool for therapy. From time to time, students write to me and ask for help on these projects, but many forget to share the outcomes once they finish. If you completed a study involving Wii, why not post information about it under comments. In truth, these early studies and surveys lay the groundwork for more in depth Wii-Hab research in the future.

Wii-Hab Meets Medical Illustration

An artist, who received her MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Advertising Design from Savannah College of Art and Design, which is located in my hometown of Savannah, GA, created wonderful visuals depicting the crucial aspects of Wii-Hab. Angela Moramarco infuses the very human components - the brain, the muscles, the bones and the soft tissue - into the very technical components - the remote and the console - of Nintendo Wii. These great illustrations tell a concise story. Nintendo Wii, when used correctly in a therapeutic setting, helps patients build new connections within the brain and between the brain and the muscles. For some patients therapy can be difficult and repetitious. Wii offers occupational and physical therapists a versatile tool to use as a part of the therapy plan not only for improving strength, endurance, and flexibility but also for improving sequencing and problem solving in a variety of patient settings including pediatrics (autism, cerebral palsey, PDD) and geriatrics (stroke, joint replacement, fall prevention).

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.

Using Nintendo Wii in Therapy: Benefits Seen Over Time

WiiHab - Rehabilitative Therapy Using the Wii by the "Wii OT” has been up and running for over a year now. Thank you for all of your visits and emails. So many people have responded to my blog. Not only have other occupational and physical therapists and students sent emails and responses but also family members whose loved ones are recovering from TBI, stroke or joint replacement and are benefiting from using Nintendo Wii have contacted me from time to time. And these responses have come from many states like Pennsylvania and Georgia and from countries far and near to the USA like England, Sweden and Canada. The use of Nintendo Wii as a therapeutic tool continues to spread, while therapists, researchers, and patients alike continue to recognize the advantages of including this tool in plans of care.

Just the other day, another article appeared in print and online about the benefits of using Nintendo Wii to help people recover from injury, illness and surgery. This article highlights 2 important points. First, mention is made that Wii offers an opportunity for socialization, helping reduce feelings of isolation. Second, this overview states that using the Wii is fun. Bringing fun into therapy helps patients who are dealing with a changing health status to reduce feelings of anxiety. Learning to use adaptive devices or learning to do familiar things in new ways is easier when feelings of isolation and anxiety are reduced. Reducing feelings of isolation and anxiety is such an important part of therapy.

So again, thank you for your support. Post your experiences in the comments section for all to see.

High School and Middle School Special Needs Students in Oregon To Benefit from Wii-Hab Pilot Program

As planned, Lon Thornberg, along with the occupational and physical therapists who he works with in Oregon, spent two days observing ways that activities and exercises available through Nintendo Wii might benefit children with special needs. The article posted on No Limits to Learning describes the program designed to help these three dedicated individuals develop a program for their students that will incoroparte the most effective Wii programs for their student population.

Activities offered through Nintendo Wii Sports provide opportunities to improve :

1. motor skills, especially gross and fine coordination,
2. cognitive skills, especially sequencing, memory and recognition

as well as many other areas.

If you have used activities offered through Nintendo Wii in a school based setting, please let Lon and me know about your experience.

FIFTH ANNUAL GAMES FOR HEALTH CONFERENCE

The Fifth Annual GAMES FOR HEALTH conference, made possible in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, takes place June 11-12 in Boston, MA.  "The Healthcare Guy" posts what Ben Sawyer, co-founder of Games for Health, has to say about the upcoming conference.  This article provides both a good background on the history of gaming for health as well as a glimpse into the newest games available for the therapy toolkit.  

One game that Mr. Sawyer mentions is Electronic Arts' EA Sports Active.  This game features a personal trainer who leads the participant through a workout that really makes the player break a sweat.  This game encourages the participant to strengthen the upper body, build endurance, improve balance and strengthen the lower extremities. 

During a recent "Wii-Hab - Using Nintendo Wii in a Therapeutic Setting" Seminar, a student was very interested in using Wii activities for high level patients in an outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy rehabilitation setting.  EA Sports Active  provides high level activities that may be well suited for that population.