“Exercise can just be so boring, and we just wanted to make it more fun.”
That is why Alegent Health Mercy Hospital officials decided to use Wii games as part of rehab for joint replacement patients, said Andrea Bolte, director of orthopedics.
+/- Click for more/less
“We used to do things in the hallway that, because of fire code, we can’t do anymore,” she said. “As we were kind of brainstorming, we did approach the guild. They donated the Wii, and the staff donated their TV from the break room.”
Patients spend 45 to 60 minutes in joint camp each morning doing conventional rehab exercises and can spend 20 to 30 minutes on the games in the afternoon, said Stephanie Denton, lead therapist. The games score more points with some patients than others.
“We don’t force anyone to do it, if they’re not comfortable,” she said.
Mercy just started including the Wii games in therapy about a month ago, said Jacie Getter, nursing manager for orthopedics.
The game helps keep patients’ minds off their joints and pain. It still requires some movement, and it can trick patients into putting more weight on their new joints than they might otherwise. It also helps test their balance, she said.
For more info click here
No comments:
Post a Comment