Hospital helps stroke patients recover via Wii therapy

Since its commercial release, the Wii has served a variety of functions other than what Nintendo had likely envisioned for it. One soldier managed to find evidence of his wife’s infidelity thanks to his Wii last month, now we have an occupational therapist by the name of Robbie Winget who is using Nintendo’s game machine to help stroke patients recover.

Curious? Find out the therapy details after the jump!

Since its commercial release, the Wii has served a variety of functions other than what Nintendo had likely envisioned for it. One soldier managed to find evidence of his wife’s infidelity thanks to his Wii last month, now we have an occupational therapist by the name of Robbie Winget who is using Nintendo’s game machine to help stroke patients recover.

It all started when Mr. Winget heard that a rehab hospital in Canada was using the Nintendo game console. He then experienced playing Wii games firsthand at a friend’s house. Convinced that the Nintendo Wii games could help people build balance, coordination, endurance and upper and lower body strength, Mr. Winget decided to introduce Wii therapy to patients at Ohio State University Medical Center’s Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital.

These days, patients at Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital undergo a fun thirty-minute Wii exercise regimen two to three times a week. Mr. Winget cautioned, however, that the Nintendo Wii is a complement to, and not a replacement for, conventional physical therapy.