New therapy for soldiers: Wii

At ease soldiers, play the Wii. Injured soldiers will most likely prefer to hear those words more than being told to play with putty.

 
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is now considering using the Nintendo Wii to help injured soldiers recover. The Army hospital now testing the Wii therapy on few soldiers, including Spc. Shawn Roberts, who suffered a vehicular accident in Kuwait.

Roberts had reservations about the idea before trying it. “I wasnÂ’t expecting much out of it,” he said. “You know, itÂ’s a video game. How much could it really do? But you donÂ’t notice it while youÂ’re doing it because your mindÂ’s on the game. But then when youÂ’re done? I was sore.” Sore he may be, but he did have fun. The alternative to playing the Wii, after all, is either squeezing a ball of putty or playing with puzzles.

What military occupational therapists liked with the Nintendo console is the fact that players have to move around in order to play Wii’s games, especially sports, which is especially good for people with injured limbs. That reason alone made them consider the idea of using the Wii even before the console made its way into stores last year.

However, the Wii will not replace any therapy tools in the Army hospital, but rather enhance the therapy process. “It’s a healthy, fun alternative to doing these things,” attests Staff Sgt. Bryan Valerie. Therapists determined that the using the Wii console will benefit patients of almost any type of injury, even traumatic brain injuries.

It’s easy to see how the family-friendly console will do the hardworking soldiers good: Physical therapy stretches out for long periods of time, and are usually monotonous. It usually consists of repetitive exercises, gripping rubber balls, or putting together puzzles. Playing video games, however, are more engaging especially for active-duty soldiers who are young and play video games.

Roberts, assigned to the 581st Signal Company in Kuwait, volunteered to play video games as part of his routine for his broken wrist, and couldn’t move his wrists for about a month. Now, he’s playing the Wii tennis games. “I do all the same exercises,” Roberts said, enthusiastic about the his new exercise routine. “With the Wii, your mind’s off of it, and you do a lot more. It’s more fast-paced and that kind of thing.”

   

At ease soldiers, play the Wii. Injured soldiers will most likely prefer to hear those words more than being told to play with putty.

 
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is now considering using the Nintendo Wii to help injured soldiers recover. The Army hospital now testing the Wii therapy on few soldiers, including Spc. Shawn Roberts, who suffered a vehicular accident in Kuwait.

Roberts had reservations about the idea before trying it. “I wasnÂ’t expecting much out of it,” he said. “You know, itÂ’s a video game. How much could it really do? But you donÂ’t notice it while youÂ’re doing it because your mindÂ’s on the game. But then when youÂ’re done? I was sore.” Sore he may be, but he did have fun. The alternative to playing the Wii, after all, is either squeezing a ball of putty or playing with puzzles.

What military occupational therapists liked with the Nintendo console is the fact that players have to move around in order to play Wii’s games, especially sports, which is especially good for people with injured limbs. That reason alone made them consider the idea of using the Wii even before the console made its way into stores last year.

However, the Wii will not replace any therapy tools in the Army hospital, but rather enhance the therapy process. “It’s a healthy, fun alternative to doing these things,” attests Staff Sgt. Bryan Valerie. Therapists determined that the using the Wii console will benefit patients of almost any type of injury, even traumatic brain injuries.

It’s easy to see how the family-friendly console will do the hardworking soldiers good: Physical therapy stretches out for long periods of time, and are usually monotonous. It usually consists of repetitive exercises, gripping rubber balls, or putting together puzzles. Playing video games, however, are more engaging especially for active-duty soldiers who are young and play video games.

Roberts, assigned to the 581st Signal Company in Kuwait, volunteered to play video games as part of his routine for his broken wrist, and couldn’t move his wrists for about a month. Now, he’s playing the Wii tennis games. “I do all the same exercises,” Roberts said, enthusiastic about the his new exercise routine. “With the Wii, your mind’s off of it, and you do a lot more. It’s more fast-paced and that kind of thing.”