October 6, 2008

• UAB adds Wii games for rehab

• Games are good rehab tool

• Funding through UAB Retirees Association

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Wii-hab has come to rehab.  UAB's (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Spain Rehabilitation Center is adding Wii Nintendo gaming systems to its arsenal of rehabilitation devices. Rehabilitation experts say the computer-based gaming systems can assist patients with balance, range of motion, weight bearing and even cognitive processing skills.

"The Wii system provides a host of benefits to patients by improving physical skills, communication skills and coordination, all in the context of a fun game," said Robert Brunner, M.D., medical director of Spain Rehabilitation Center. "This increases compliance, helps patients deal more easily with fatigue and makes rehabilitation a fun, more enjoyable experience."

UAB received three complete Wii-systems, each including a 32 inch flat screen TV, a Wii console, Wii Fit and a large variety of games from the UAB Retirees Association, a gift totaling nearly $5,000.

"We're indebted to the UAB Retirees Association for this gift," said Cathy Newhouse, administrative director for Spain Rehabilitation Center. "They were quick to see how these games would be such a wonderful addition to our physical and cognitive rehabilitation strategies and they did not hesitate to act on our behalf."

A unique feature of the Wii is the wireless remote -  a hand-held pointing device that detects acceleration and orientation in 3 dimensions. This design allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as more traditional button presses, which makes the Wii system ideal as a rehabilitation aid. 

The therapist chooses the appropriate game, tailors it to the individual patient needs, provides education and guides the patient through the completion of the motions. Immediate feedback is provided allowing the patients to make adjustments to their balance, their movements and actions to achieve the desired response.

"Another benefit is that the games keep score, providing incentive to a patient, always encouraging them to keep working, to keep trying, to beat their previous high score," said Brunner.

Games available at UAB's Spain Rehabilitation Center include sports games such as tennis, golf, bowling and baseball; Wii Fit; Guitar Hero III; Dance Dance Revolution; Endless Ocean; CSI: Hard Evidence; The Price is Right; SimCity Creator; Cooking Mama Cook Off and others.