'Wii-habilitation' for Surgeries, Strokes and More

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'Wii-habilitation' for Surgeries, Strokes and More
Patients in Ohio's Lake Hospital System are successfully using various Wii products to recover from their surgeries. No word on if they're playing Trauma Center: Second Opinion.
by David Radd on Friday, June 06, 2008


Today, Ohio's Lake Hospital System revealed that they have successfully used the Nintendo Wii to help patients recovering from strokes, surgeries and broken bones. Using Wii Fit and other Wii titles with skiing and bowling, patients are improving their cardiovascular fitness, aerobic strength and balance.

"The Wii complements traditional and functional therapies while engaging patients in their therapy in a fun and entertaining way," said Nancy Ditzel, a physical therapist at Lake Hospital System. "Rehabilitation can be hard, and it's often painful. Wii takes the focus off that. Patients are having so much fun that they often don't realize how hard they're working."

"To be able to walk and feed myself again, I basically had to start from scratch," said Sherry Siburt, who has gone through two neck surgeries. "I couldn't stand by myself when I came in here. Now, I'm standing by myself and playing a game. It's pretty remarkable."

"Because Wii is goal-oriented and competition-oriented, it motivates patients to step outside of their comfort zone and do things they might be reluctant to do in another setting," said John Baniewicz, M.D. "We're seeing patients at all levels of function, even those confined to wheelchairs, attain improved balance and strength."