The therapists at Western Plains Outpatient Therapy clinic at Village Square Mall in Dodge City have started using the Nintendo Wii gaming system as a fun, challenging, and engaging way to treat both physical and occupational therapy patients.
With various games, different types of hand-held controllers, as well as a Wii Fit balance board, the new system is being utilized for a wide variety of patients and is gaining popularity very quickly with all ages.
Therapists have found that one of the biggest benefits of the Wii is that it assists patients in engaging multiple muscles and joints, plus it incorporates balance and motor control. The games can also be set to varying degrees of sensitivity and intensity, which allows the therapists to adjust for the different fitness and ability levels of patients.
One of the additional benefits of using the Wii system is that it can be more engaging than normal exercise routines. With the wide variety of games and activities available, patients seem to enjoy the variety and are motivated to improve their “scores.”
Currently the most popular use for the Wii at Western Plains has been in using the Wii Fit board for physical therapy patients who are working to improve balance and/or proprioception.
Occupational therapist Hugo Dahlstrom, who had used a Wii while working at a previous facility in Kansas City, is also incorporating the available functional upper extremity activities into his treatment programs. He has had patients use some of
the sporting games to achieve strengthening, coordination and functional use of the upper body.
The team of therapists at Western Plains jokingly refer to the programs as Wii-hab. “We’re proud to have added one of the
newest forms of interactive rehabilitation,” said Amy Dunn, DPT, ATC, director of therapy services at Western Plains. “It is
another great way for our patients to have a sense of their improved function and to enjoy the time they spend with us.”
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The therapists at Western Plains Outpatient Therapy clinic at Village Square Mall in Dodge City have started using the Nintendo Wii gaming system as a fun, challenging, and engaging way to treat both physical and occupational therapy patients.
With various games, different types of hand-held controllers, as well as a Wii Fit balance board, the new system is being utilized for a wide variety of patients and is gaining popularity very quickly with all ages.
Therapists have found that one of the biggest benefits of the Wii is that it assists patients in engaging multiple muscles and joints, plus it incorporates balance and motor control. The games can also be set to varying degrees of sensitivity and intensity, which allows the therapists to adjust for the different fitness and ability levels of patients.
One of the additional benefits of using the Wii system is that it can be more engaging than normal exercise routines. With the wide variety of games and activities available, patients seem to enjoy the variety and are motivated to improve their “scores.”
Currently the most popular use for the Wii at Western Plains has been in using the Wii Fit board for physical therapy patients who are working to improve balance and/or proprioception.
Occupational therapist Hugo Dahlstrom, who had used a Wii while working at a previous facility in Kansas City, is also incorporating the available functional upper extremity activities into his treatment programs. He has had patients use some of
the sporting games to achieve strengthening, coordination and functional use of the upper body.
The team of therapists at Western Plains jokingly refer to the programs as Wii-hab. “We’re proud to have added one of the
newest forms of interactive rehabilitation,” said Amy Dunn, DPT, ATC, director of therapy services at Western Plains. “It is
another great way for our patients to have a sense of their improved function and to enjoy the time they spend with us.”
