Video Games: Good for the Body, Good for the Brain

Mon Oct 1, 2007 5:48PM EDT

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Treadmills and stretching are out: Physical therapists are turning to the Nintendo Wii to help the injured and infirm get their grooves back while increasing flexibility and strength. Click on over to see a video of a 70-year-old patient looking awfully spry as he hits a few balls in Nintendo's Wii Sports tennis game... all part of a medical therapy regimen.

This is hardly the first time that video games have been used for medical and health purposes. Nintendo's Brain Age series is popularly prescribed to help elderly patients stay sharp as a sort of "exercise" for the mind. Re-Mission was designed for children with cancer, helping to inform them about treatment while keeping their spirits up during therapy. The company says the game has been shown to actually improve the prognosis for patients, saying that players actually maintain higher chemotherapy levels in the blood, suggesting the game helps them stick to their therepy schedules [PDF link]. Check out the Games for Health initiative for more news on the topic.

The Wii, though, is moving gaming out of niche applications and into the mainstream because the console is so accessible to such a wide variety of players. (You should see my four-year-old play Wii Carnival Games.) The upcoming Wii Fit could be a real killer in this category for those who don't have the sense of rhythm that Dance Dance Revolution requires: Check out the video at the following link to see how it could make working out into something you look forward to, whether you're eight or eighty.

See, mom? I told you video games were good for you!

LINK: Nintendo Wii Providing Therapeutic Opportunity 

Comments on Video Games: Good for the Body, Good for the Brain

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  • 26 Posted by steve_mclaughlin2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd get a Wii but they're always sold out and I don't want to buy the bundle packages they offer online. As soon as Best Buy has one when I'm there again, I'll buy one for sure.

  • 27 Posted by bige23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm still having a tough time finding a WII here in New York. Every store I go to in my area, they say that it's sold out and they do not know when the next shipment is coming in. :-(

  • 28 Posted by franchizek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got my first Wii experience a couple of weeks ago. My sister-in-law, who is in a wheelchair, beat me in bowling, baseball, and several other games. I thought I was somewhat athletic, heck she showed me. Kids came over and we had one heck of an evening, together. We totally enjoyed the Wii, and are loking into buying our own, justr to practice up so the next visit by my sis-in-law, we can all beat her!!!!

  • 30 Posted by amccartney84 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a wii and I work in a nursing home and I really think that it would give residents something to look forward to because you won't just be sitting in your w/c (wheelchair) doing nothing. You could be playing a game with your grandson or another resident and enjoying the time instead of hoping it will go by faster.

  • 31 Posted by lady_cadhla on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    What a great idea for physical therapy! The Wii Sports game that comes with the console is a great way for people who are, for whatever reason, unable to go out to a park or a gym to get a decent amount of movement in their life. I know there is even a way of keeping track of your physical fitness, which is just really cool. The tennis game is my favorite of all of them.

  • 32 Posted by bobsteer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was sore for a couple after playing the baseball and golf for a couple of hours. My five year old loved the bowling, he was pretty good at it too.

  • 33 Posted by maddog_207 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why does everyone keeping hated on the Wii? I have played on the Wii and Wii Sports and I ended up sweating like crazy. Those games really get you involved and are a great workout. Besides, how else would you exercise if you live in a frozen tundra or where you fry just stepping out the door?

  • 34 Posted by jesusdied_4u_andme on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I totally agree with this article. Even my dad can play the Wii with me. It's also a very good family activity

  • 35 Posted by whiteside6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    how much is the wii in trinidad and tobago

  • 36 Posted by jantjegroot on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a psychiatrist on an inpatient psych unit and we are incorporating the Nintendo Wii as part of a study to help patients with mood and thought disorders. Our study is about to commence. Here I thought we were revolutionary, but it looks like we aren't the only ones using the Wii for health.

  • 37 Posted by ragnarok21487 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm in total support of gzam415 up there, there's nothing more annoying than an ignorant Xbox Fanboi. And to everyone who thinks anyone who plays video games is lazy and should just go outside, yeah, not everyone is like you. The reason a wide range of people are enjoying the Wii is because it attracts casual gamers. It's clear that not everyone likes rock climbing or hang gliding or whatever sort of EXTREME hobby you have that makes you a SO MUCH better human being than people like us.

  • 38 Posted by mikemacri_72 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Kisco Assisted Living has implemented a similar system...but it is more geared to health, fitness, sports and there aren't any "video games" so to speak. It is called XaviX and is about 1/3 the cost of Wii. Also, the XaviX PORT never has to be upgraded.

  • 39 Posted by falloutjordan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    this really works i mean we have one and i mean i break a sweet

  • 40 Posted by falloutjordan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    this really works i mean we have one and i mean i break a sweet

  • 41 Posted by geeksquad290 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think playing the wii all day long would be cool beans man because then i wouldnt have to do gym heh

  • 42 Posted by geeksquad290 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    actually it would be better if we had wiis in gym heh

  • 43 Posted by geeksquad290 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    carl bokma ur right the wii is lame and the xbox 360 is in the house now especially with halo 3 on the market heh XD

  • 44 Posted by paradisegaragellc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    The wii is great, but my right shoulder doesn't think so. I bought the wii at costco this august. The problem was I played it for 5 hours straight with my kids. My shoulder still hurts 6 weeks later.

  • 45 Posted by mugupo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Finally mom no longer said video card is only for kid any more

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