Nintendo Wii as Therapy and Fun for Multiple Sclerosis

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Nintendo Wii - A good tool for many facets of Multiple Sclerosis

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my lens.

At first blush, you may think that the title of this lens is a far stretch! You may be wondering how a video game console could possibly do ANYTHING useful for a disease such as MS. If you give me a chance, I will share my own experience. I'll also let you know that I am NOT a video game junkie. I'm not very good at figuring out the remotes and buttons and all that. This gaming system is different. I feel that most anyone can do it. It was created with that in mind, to allow everyone to play. Play is good!

The objective of this lens will be to look at the Nintendo Wii gaming system and it's utility for fostering and enhancing movement, flexibility, balance, and cognition (memory, multi-tasking, etc.)

Although this lens mentions MS (because that is my own personal experience and journey) there are probably many other health conditions that could benefit from the same things.

I need to mention that I am NOT a physical or occupational therapist and I am NOT trained in rehab or physical medicine. This is simply my own personal experience and observation. If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.

Enjoy and have fun!

Picture from http://www.mywiistory.com/

Contents at a Glance

What is the Nintendo Wii?
Nintendo Wii Introduction
Using the Wii for physical movement and exercise ...

The Wii to exercise Memory and Cognitive Functioning
Wii Fit
Nintendo Wii on Amazon

more...

What is the Nintendo Wii?

The Wii (pronounced as the pronoun "we") is the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. Another is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.

The console was known by the code name of "Revolution" until April 27, 2006, immediately prior to E3.[8] According to the Nintendo Style Guide, the name "is simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii." This means it is the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside of Japan without the company name featured in its trademark.

"Wii sounds like 'we', which emphasizes that the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii."

Nintendo Wii Introduction

Best Buy gives a great two-minute intro on what some of the movement of playing the Wii looks like. This is a quick video to see how the system works in a "nutshell".

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curated content from YouTube

Using the Wii for physical movement and exercise ...

Who knew that exercising could be so much fun? Once you buy a Wii Gaming system, it comes packaged with Sports which is enough to get you started and getting the hang of things.

While I would never purport that the Wii gaming system could be traded for a Total Gym, Treadmill or Elliptical ... I could purport that with the right combination of games and understanding (and guidance), a regimen could be developed that could offer movement and exercise to both arms and legs.

The Nintendo Wii comes pre-packaged with the game Sports. Sports is really 5 games in 1:

1. Golf
2. Boxing
3. Baseball
4. Tennis
5. Bowling

If you can get over the "anime" type of animation and characters -- you'll do fine. The images are bright and differentiated by both color and pattern (this will accommodate someone with optic nerve damage who might have some problems with colors). The characters are easily distinguishable by patterns such as stripes versus solids.

What I love so much about Wii Sports is that it offers something called a "Fitness Test". This fitness test can be performed at different times (no more than once a day). The test uses an algorithm to look at all levels of play from coordination, speed and accuracy. During the course of a "Fitness Test" you will be given tasks from the various sports (this could be boxing, bowling and golf). Once completed, an "age" is applied to you (20 years being the youngest). Over time, you can take the fitness test and watch your results. Have you grown younger or older???? Really a nice part of the game.

The movements used by players playing Wii Sports (tennis for example) do not have to be perfect and could be performed from a sitting position with some practice. In my opinion, the value of exercise and movement is better accomplished when the Sports are played in as realistic a manner as possible. That said, I am not a doctor or physical therapist -- so this should be discussed with them to find the optimal type play for you.

The Wii to exercise Memory and Cognitive Functioning

There are several games in the Wii repertoire that assist with fostering cognitive functioning. The game that I have experienced and I think does a wonderful job of it is one called Trauma Center: Second Opinion.

Trauma Center: Second Opinion requires the use of recall to accomplish current tasks. Each level "operation" builds on the last and the player must remember certain procedures and how to do them.

Product Description

The follow-up to Trauma Center - Under the Knife, this is the first surgical video game for the Nintendo Wii. Sure, we've all imagined what it would be like to become a doctor. Years of medical school, residency, and clinic duty eventually pay off in a rewarding position saving people's lives. Or, you could skip all that and just put in a few hours after dinner.

The critically acclaimed medical drama simulation is making a house call on your Wii! Dr. Derek Stiles is back, but he's not the only surgeon on call?a new player joins the team, bringing along everything the doctor ordered: difficulty modes, new surgical implements like the defibrillator, and an exciting never-before-seen conclusion. So what are you waiting for? If one dose of Trauma Center wasn't enough, it's time you got a Second Opinion!

Wii Fit

This Game and Wii Board ROCKS!

The Wii Fit is a great tool and a lot of fun for us with MS :) I, personally, am working on areas around balance since the system shows me as "unbalanced" (I could have told them that *wink*). The system amazingly tells you your BMI, weight and the way you balance yourself. It's called a body test and it is absolutely amazing ....

The active-play phenomenon started by Wii Sports now spreads to your whole body thanks to the pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board (name not final), which comes packed with Wii Fit. The board is used for an extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games. Many of these activities focus towards providing a "core" workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions. Family members will have fun staying active and talking about and comparing their results and progress on a new channel on the Wii Menu.

A couple of screenshots that show players in action - please notice the balancing platform - this appears to be the main controller for this game:

You can see a video on the official Nintendo page