Military tries out more Wii therapy
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 14th 2007 at 8:05AM }
Last December we posted the story of Lance Cpl. John McClellan who used his Xbox 360 as a rehabilitation device. At the time we said other systems would obviously be just as effective and now we have the story of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany using the Wii. According to Stars and Stripes, a First Amendment military paper, the Wii is being used as an experimental physical therapy device at the hospital.
The story focuses on Army Spc. Shawn Roberts who used the Wii for therapy after receiving injuries in Iraq which caused him to have screws implanted in his wrist. The Wii helped him use his wrist again without realizing that he was doing therapy. Roberts says, "I wasn't expecting much out of it ... But you don't notice it while you're doing it because your mind's on the game. But then when you're done? I was sore." Therapists found the system benefiting various kinds of patients and the "department plans to analyze the results" to see if it's worth purchasing more.
This isn't the only military hospital we know of using video games as therapy tools, it's not even the only general therapy Wii story we know. Honestly, at this point, we're shocked that Nintendo hasn't come out with Wii Therapy yet. No, seriously ... utterly shocked. The "game" would be a slowed down version of Wario Ware, but be specifically designed around different physical therapy needs. It's gotta be in the pipeline, Wii Therapy would be PR gold! We can imagine the coverage now.
The story focuses on Army Spc. Shawn Roberts who used the Wii for therapy after receiving injuries in Iraq which caused him to have screws implanted in his wrist. The Wii helped him use his wrist again without realizing that he was doing therapy. Roberts says, "I wasn't expecting much out of it ... But you don't notice it while you're doing it because your mind's on the game. But then when you're done? I was sore." Therapists found the system benefiting various kinds of patients and the "department plans to analyze the results" to see if it's worth purchasing more.
This isn't the only military hospital we know of using video games as therapy tools, it's not even the only general therapy Wii story we know. Honestly, at this point, we're shocked that Nintendo hasn't come out with Wii Therapy yet. No, seriously ... utterly shocked. The "game" would be a slowed down version of Wario Ware, but be specifically designed around different physical therapy needs. It's gotta be in the pipeline, Wii Therapy would be PR gold! We can imagine the coverage now.
[Thanks Sgt. Mike]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hvnlysoldr @ Jun 14th 2007 8:37AM
Nintendo first has to develop Wii Fitness and Wii Sports 2. But yes Nintendo's fit army all over the world combined with their tank consoles and portables shall usher in the 4th world war.
Ocho @ Jun 14th 2007 9:05AM
I'm no physical trainer, but couldn't using the wrong movements with the Wii actually have a detrimental effect?
Great picture, by the way.
Dave @ Jun 14th 2007 9:02AM
I thought there was a strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy for the military on Wii gaming.
Norm @ Jun 14th 2007 9:47AM
Hey, maybe I'll join the military. Looks like TONS of fun!
Anam @ Jun 14th 2007 11:00AM
@Ocho
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe they prescribe certain games which require the correct motions?
Adv2k1 @ Jun 14th 2007 11:38AM
Excellent. Sony is anti-religion game system and Nintendo is Pro-Military game console that helps our troops recover.
Booxatron @ Jun 14th 2007 12:33PM
Well the NDF's soldiers will be the most physically fit...
Can't wait for Wii NDF Boot Camp.
rokobungi @ Jun 14th 2007 6:43PM
if only there were 'nunchuck shoes' then you could get a whole body workout.
...
...
oh noes I just thought of Wii tapdancing that would be horrible!
Abscissa @ Jun 14th 2007 6:11PM
Great, now we're going to see all the retarded baby boomers bitching "Look! The military uses the Wii to train soldiers! That means it'll turn your kids into serial killers!"