Stroke rehabilitation is rapidly evolving as there are many advantages and some disadvantages to using Wii games in rehabilitation. The duration and intensity of the rehabilitation strategy are important factors in it's effectiveness. A randomized control trial study showed using Wii gaming technology is effective in enhancing motor function following a stroke. 22 stroke survivors of mild to moderate ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes were randomized to play recreational games such as, cards and Jenga or Wii Tennis and Cooking Mama, over an intense two week period. Results found significant motor improvements in speed, fine and gross movements, grip strength de Souza, Paim, Imamura, & Marcon, (2011).
Advantages
- Has a non-threatening game type feel to it
- Used with individuals or in a group setting, enabling both physical and cognitive perceptual skills to be addressed
- Positive theme- interactive, visual, goal led and provides sensory feedback
- Useful to involve patients with higher cognitive level functioning to work on focused and sustained attention
- Family interaction with patients, playing game
- Work in a virtual environment that is safe, fun, engaging and motivational for patients
- Repetitive tasks and specific activities- activate mirror neuron system involved in brain plasticity
- Physical strength and movement.
Deutsch et al., (2011) explains some of the disadvantages using Wii games in rehabilitation.
Disadvantages
- Not successful for patients who have had little or no experience and don’t know how to use a computer or play station
- May not see it as a valid treatment tool
- Patients may get offended by what the Wii is saying e.g ‘ you're not doing good enough’, or ‘you're unbalanced’
- Patients that are already depressed and have low mood, not a good mood enhancer
- Cognitive problems if patients can't follow instructions, have visual, language problems, can't express or receive information
- Patients need to be able to co-ordinate the remote if this is not achieved can lead to frustration
- Depending on the location it is hard to restrict who is in for example, the lounge and minimize distraction.
My experience facilitating Wii games occurred on placement. I
believe this is a fantastic tool that occupational therapists use. There is
strong evidence according to de Souza, Paim, Imamura, & Marcon, (2011), and Deutsch et al., (2011) supporting occupational therapists use of Wii games in rehabilitation.
References
De
Souza, L., Paim, C., Imamura, M., & Alfieri, F. (2011).
Use of interactive video game for stroke rehabilitation. Acta Fislatr, 18(4),
217-221. doi:10.5935/0104-7795.20110010
Deutsch, J.,
Brettler, A., Smith, C., Welsh, J., John, R.,
Guarrera-Bowlby, P., & Kafri, M. (2011). Nintendo wii sports and
wii fit game analysis, validation, and application to stroke rehabilitation. Stroke Rehabilitation, 18(6), 701-719. doi:10.131/tsr1806-701
What do you see happening in the future for Wii in stroke rehabilitation?
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel, what I see happening in the future for Wii in is I believe it will keep developing due to it being a relatively new intervention tool. Hopefully clinicians will incorporate this into their practice not just in stroke rehab but in a variety of different settings.
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