Gaming technology advances recovery
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Video games represent the future of rehabilitation
St. John's Rehab Hospital's innovative clinicians are breaking new ground - using video games to help patients regain key skills during their recovery.
This summer, the hospital began a trial of the popular Nintendo Wii platform. These experts believe that this fun, challenging and stimulating tool can enhance patient participation in rehabilitation, satisfaction with care and motor skill redevelopment.
The Nintendo Wii involves a motion-sensitive controller. Rather than pressing buttons, the player uses the controller to simulate real life activities, such as swinging a baseball bat, or using a steering wheel on a car.
Our researchers have found that more than 75 per cent of rehab therapists surveyed believed that the system would provide therapeutic benefit as an adjunct to traditional patient therapy.
Through their investigation, the team hopes that the Nintendo Wii will improve patient satisfaction and outcomes for people with physical and cognitive impairments. This could include people recovering from traumatic injuries, severe burns, neurological conditions or bone, joint and muscle conditions.
The next step will be to standardize methods for using the gaming system in the program of rehab care.
"We're excited about the possibilities if the trial proves successful," says Ken So, Occupational Therapist and Clinical Researcher at St. John's Rehab. "We could lead the way as one of the first hospitals to incorporate this technology into patient care."
Our patients are also getting excited. Tony Maglietta (pictured above left, with So) was the first patient to use the Nintendo Wii at St. John's Rehab. Maglietta found the experience so positive that he quickly raised $500 in just three days to support the trial. During recovery from shoulder surgery, he used games such as automobile racing to practice the motion of steering.
The clinicians leading this project are: Dianne Beynon, Elaine Chan, John Cho, Catherine Chuang, Aileen Ho, Gina Lam, Karen Leong, Esther Park, Jennifer Shaffer, Gary Siu, Ken So, Jessica Sy,Vera Tam and Lawrence Yu.