Since the Wii came onto the scene in 2007, it has added a healthy dimension to the video game industry. With the
release of the Wii Fit a few weeks ago, it has gone to another level.
A handful of physical therapists around the country have used the Wii for patient rehabilitation over the past 6 months
but the “Fit” version of the game system directly targets the fitness aspect and reinforces many of the techniques
utilized in Physical Therapy. Physical Therapists at Conshohocken Physical Therapy recently gave the Nintento system a
trial run and today they are utilizing it with nearly every patient.
Dr. Desirea Caucci, owner and therapist, is impressed with how well the Wii Fit can help patients with their balance,
strengthening, and awareness of one’s positioning in space. It also allows you to track weight loss, calculate Body Mass
Index (BMI), and chart progress over time. It serves just like specialized rehabilitation equipment by providing
sophisticated visual feedback on muscles being used and center of mass to enhance body awareness and movement
control.
“It adds a whole new dimension to physical therapy. Incorporating Wii is both fun and challenging for the patients and
the games are making our treatments more innovative.” Caucci said.
Patients who are having difficulty with standard forms of physical therapy are especially impacted. "I have seen patients
get so engaged in a particular game, whether it be an intense boxing match, downhill skiing, yoga postures or hula
hooping, they don’t even realize they have been exercising for 10-15 minutes! And, these are the same patients who
are unable to walk more than five minutes on the treadmill.
release of the Wii Fit a few weeks ago, it has gone to another level.
A handful of physical therapists around the country have used the Wii for patient rehabilitation over the past 6 months
but the “Fit” version of the game system directly targets the fitness aspect and reinforces many of the techniques
utilized in Physical Therapy. Physical Therapists at Conshohocken Physical Therapy recently gave the Nintento system a
trial run and today they are utilizing it with nearly every patient.
Dr. Desirea Caucci, owner and therapist, is impressed with how well the Wii Fit can help patients with their balance,
strengthening, and awareness of one’s positioning in space. It also allows you to track weight loss, calculate Body Mass
Index (BMI), and chart progress over time. It serves just like specialized rehabilitation equipment by providing
sophisticated visual feedback on muscles being used and center of mass to enhance body awareness and movement
control.
“It adds a whole new dimension to physical therapy. Incorporating Wii is both fun and challenging for the patients and
the games are making our treatments more innovative.” Caucci said.
Patients who are having difficulty with standard forms of physical therapy are especially impacted. "I have seen patients
get so engaged in a particular game, whether it be an intense boxing match, downhill skiing, yoga postures or hula
hooping, they don’t even realize they have been exercising for 10-15 minutes! And, these are the same patients who
are unable to walk more than five minutes on the treadmill.
