Wiihabilitation

For our tutorial this week we got to look at the Nintento Wii and answer some questions with regard to how it is being used as a rehabilitation tool by Occupational Therapists. Its pretty impressive. Here are the questions:

Q Why do you think Wii Gaming has appealed to people who are not traditional video game player?
The Wii appeals because it is easy to use, involves active movement and is fun. Players get to participate in sports such as ten pin bowling, wakeboarding, boxing, which may be new, or familiar to them. I imagine alot of appeal has to do with the lack of violence in the games.

Q What is the relevance to Occupational Therapy?
Used as a rehabilitation tool the Wii is very relevant to Occupational Therapy. It is important for therapists to keep updated with new technologies and incorporate them into treatment where appropriate. Occupational Therapists have moved on from basket weaving.

Q Investigate the other applications offerred by the Wii. How else could it be used?
One of the reasons Wii is so relevantas an Occupational Therapy tool is because of the many practical applications. It's software includes programmes such as "Cooking Mama" where the playes simulate real life cooking skills such as slicing meat, peeling an onion, breaking an egg. The link below show a patient practising to climb stairs. These are real skills that patients are able to practice in a safe controlled environment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtLDRN--CeY